Three years ago, Missouri junior Tanner Houck gambled on himself.
After being drafted in the 12th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, he turned down the chance to turn pro and instead joined the Tigers’ staff, emerging as its ace during three seasons in Columbia.
Houck’s dream came full circle Monday when he was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the No. 24 overall pick in the first round — 330 spots higher than the last time he was draft-eligible in 2014.
Houck, a 6-foot-5, 218-pound native of Collinsville, Ill., is blessed with one of the best fastballs in the draft.