Colin
Houck

Mississippi State Commit. 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. It was, without a doubt, the summer of Colin Houck. From the PBR ProCase to the National Program Invitational, to East Coast Pro to Area Code Games, Houck delivered every step of the way and then some. It all culminated with his commitment to Mississippi State in August. There is an ease to the way that he plays the game, and with minimal effort to the way he creates bat speed, he is able to remain balanced while still creating high exit velocities. There is balance and controlled aggression to his swing with eye-opening ability to lift the baseball, and it is easy to envision big future power production. Houck brings some “it factor” to the diamond, and between his crisp defensive actions and big power potential, he might be the biggest helium candidate from the summer.

Houck’s moxie and makeup are sure to excite scouts, especially when considering his future power potential. A dual-sport prospect who doubles as a high-level D1 quarterback prospect, Houck holds all the attributes that college coaches and professional scouts crave, including immeasurable intangibles. The left side infielder kicked off the week at the NPI procase, turning in a 6.66 60-yard dash time before making the park look small with effortless power. Hardly breaking a sweat, and appearing to only just be getting loose, Houck turned the barrel with authority sending high majestic shots out of the park and deep to both gaps with exit velocities up to 104 mph with wood. There is balance and controlled aggression to his swing with eye-opening ability to lift the baseball, and it is easy to envision big future power production. In live at-bats, he wore a fastball off the rib cage like a champ, hardly flinching, and exhibiting the toughness that is expected from a two-sport star. He went 4-for-9 on the week with a pair of extra base hits, and left the NPI as one of the premier helium candidates in the class.

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting shortstop, one of the top shortstops in the country, physical athletic build, projectable. Advanced bat across the board. Calm and collected in the box, good pitch recognition and feel for the zone. Can battle off pitches until he gets something he can handle. Whippy barrel and hand speed, can elevate and drive with huge amounts of force, registered a 105 mph exit velocity on a two run home run against Cherokee. Defensively, as solid as they come up the middle, natural instincts, more than enough arm strength.

Houck continued to show well as one of the top uncommitted players in the 2023 class. The quarterback prospect has a pristine, 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame that includes lean defined strength throughout. He is balanced at the plate from the right side with minimal movement while delivering strength through the zone (98 mph exit velocity) that includes intriguing power potential. The 6.9-runner has crisp actions at shortstop where he is sure-handed, and looks the part of a leader on the infield. His in-game at-bats were impressive and continued to exhibit upward progression, and his future as a left side of the infield prospect was reaffirmed with this Future Games performance.

One of the top uncommitted ‘23s in the state. Strong frame at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Moves well around the field. Compact swing at the plate with pull-side strength. Utilizes back leg in deep load. Hands are quick and smooth through the zone. Advanced action in the field and has the ability to play any infield position. 2020 Future Games participant that only continues to get better. High-level football recruit.

A familiar face around LakePoint this summer and fall, Houck appeared to really turn a corner this weekend facing competition mostly a year his elder. At 6-foot-1, 170-pounds he is physically advanced for his age and is still growing, displays athleticism throughout his entire game. Offensively, he sets up shoulder width apart with his weight displaced on his back leg, hands load back smoothly with a slight drop.  A gap-to-gap hitter, he has shown time and time again advanced bat speed and natural loft in his swing, allowing for him to elevate and drive the ball with force. Defensively he more than aptly holds down shortstop with smooth hands and quick release, plenty of arm strength to stick on the left-side. Given his present abilities and the physical maturation to come, the future is exciting for Houck.

6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder, projectable athlete, emerging strength in frame. Offensively, balanced setup, loads weight onto back-side, hnds load back with some barrel wrap, short leg kick timing trigger, good balance through contact. Gap-to-gap type hitter, present bat speed, flashed the ability to drive the ball with force. With continued growth and reps, will consistently drive the ball and develop real pull-side pop.