The White Sox just hit the jackpot by landing the first pick in the 2026 MLB draft lottery. Now, while the top pick doesn't always guarantee immediate success, this year offers a rare opportunity. The White Sox have the chance to select a truly generational talent-Roch Cholowsky, a standout shortstop from UCLA.
Cholowsky isn't just another top prospect; he’s being hailed by some of baseball's top draft analysts as the best college shortstop they've ever covered. Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, seasoned experts from the MLB Pipeline Podcast, have been singing his praises.
Callis, who’s been analyzing prospects since 1989, places Cholowsky at the pinnacle of college shortstops. That's quite an endorsement from the pros who live and breathe baseball drafts.
For the White Sox, this is a major win. Cholowsky is set to join a promising young core in Chicago, and his current stats are nothing short of spectacular.
With a .400 batting average, 6 home runs, and 12 RBIs, his on-base percentage is a staggering .500, coupled with a 1.100 slugging percentage and a 1.613 OPS in just 8 games. These numbers are the stuff of legends.
The White Sox might face some roster decisions, given they already have a budding star in Colson Montgomery at shortstop. But when you have a talent like Cholowsky, you make it work. Roster flexibility is key, and the White Sox will find a way to accommodate both players.
If everything goes according to plan, Cholowsky could be fast-tracked to AA by the end of this season, setting the stage for a major league debut as soon as 2027. The excitement around him is palpable, and he has the potential to become one of the all-time greats in a White Sox uniform. This is a moment of serendipity for the franchise, and they’re poised to make the most of it.