Boston Red Sox 2017 first-round pick: Tanner Houck (starting pitcher)
The Boston Red Sox used the 24th overall pick in the 2017 draft on starting pitcher Tanner Houck.
Houck spent the rest of the 2017 season in Low-A. He looked good enough there for Boston to feel comfortable starting him in Advanced-A in 2018. However, that's where Houck stayed for the entire season.
The right-handed pitcher managed 119 innings but had some mixed results. It was enough for the Red Sox to have Houck start the 2019 season in Double-A. He spent the majority of his time there, piling up 82 2/3 innings. Houck finished the year by getting 25 innings in Triple-A. It was at that level where he actually looked the most effective.
This led to Houck actually getting some time with the team in that strange 2020 pandemic season. He put up absurd numbers in 17 innings of work, giving fans something to be excited about.
Houck pitched 69 innings for the Red Sox in 2021 and 60 more in 2022. The team was giving him starts and using him out of the bullpen. At the point of this writing, Houck has only started for Boston in 2023. He's gotten into a habit of looking elite for the first few innings before struggling the second time through the order.
However, Houck continues to give the team a lot of positives to point towards. They seem committed to giving him a chance as a starter, and the potential is definitely there. He has some nasty stuff, and when he's on, it's nearly impossible to do much against him.
To this point in his career, Houck has solid numbers in the Majors Leagues. He was never mind-blowingly impressive in the minor leagues, but clearly, the Red Sox saw the potential. It's worked in their favor so far. And I'd be willing to bet that the 26-year-old only continues to get better.
Draft Grade: A-