The White Sox didn’t just tinker around the edges this offseason-they made some noise. With new faces like Munetaka Murakami, Anthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, and Austin Hays joining the roster, the team has injected both talent and intrigue into a club looking to turn the page.
But as Spring Training gets rolling, the buzz in camp isn’t just about the fresh talent in the clubhouse. The real jolt of energy came from the draft lottery, where the Sox landed the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 1977.
That’s the kind of franchise-altering opportunity that doesn’t come around often-and right now, all eyes are on UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky.
Cholowsky’s Statement Weekend
If White Sox fans were looking for a reason to tune into college baseball this spring, Cholowsky gave them one right out of the gate. UCLA, ranked No. 2 in the nation, opened its season with a three-game set against UC-San Diego, and Cholowsky wasted no time showing why he’s widely considered the front-runner to go first overall in July’s MLB Draft.
In Friday’s opener, he walked and then smoked a double off the top of the left-center field wall-just a few feet shy of his first homer of the year. But it wasn’t just the bat that turned heads.
Cholowsky flashed the leather with a smooth over-the-shoulder catch in shallow left field, a play that showcased his range and instincts at shortstop. That kind of defensive polish, especially this early in the season, is exactly what scouts love to see.
On Saturday, he didn’t miss. First pitch of his first at-bat?
Gone. He jumped on a breaking ball and sent it over the left-field fence for his first collegiate home run of the season.
He added another double later in the game and nearly left the yard again in his final plate appearance, flying out to the wall. Sunday’s finale saw him reach base twice more with a single and a walk.
His weekend line: 4-for-12, one homer, two doubles, two walks. Not a bad way to kick off a season when you’re trying to cement yourself as the top pick in the draft.
Five Tools, One Name to Know
Cholowsky isn’t just a hot start. He’s been on scouts’ radars for a while, and for good reason.
He’s considered a true five-tool player-meaning he can hit for average, hit for power, run, field, and throw. That’s a rare package, especially at the shortstop position.
Some evaluators are already calling him the best college shortstop prospect since Troy Tulowitzki, which is lofty praise when you consider Tulo’s combination of power and defense during his prime.
And it’s not just natural talent. Cholowsky has grown up in the game-his father is a scout for the Cincinnati Reds-so he’s had a front-row seat to the professional grind from a young age. That kind of background tends to show up in how a player prepares, how he carries himself, and how quickly he can adapt to the next level.
The Race for No. 1 Isn’t Over
Of course, Cholowsky isn’t the only name in the mix. Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron made his own statement during opening weekend, launching two home runs and putting his power-speed combo on display. Lebron’s biggest question mark has been his contact rate, but if he can tighten up the swing-and-miss, he’s got the tools to make this a real competition.
That’s the kind of dilemma the White Sox should welcome. Whether it’s Cholowsky, Lebron, or another rising star who emerges this spring, having multiple elite prospects to choose from is a great position to be in. The front office will be watching closely, scouting every at-bat, every play in the field, and every sign of development between now and July.
Eyes on the Future
For White Sox fans, this college baseball season just got a lot more interesting. Cholowsky’s games will be streamed on B1G+, with select matchups possibly airing on other platforms. If you’re a fan looking to get a glimpse of a potential future franchise cornerstone, now’s the time to start watching.
This summer’s draft could be a turning point for the organization. And if Cholowsky keeps playing the way he did this past weekend, the decision at No. 1 might get a little easier-but the excitement around it is just getting started.