UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is shaping up to be one of the biggest names in the 2026 MLB Draft, and he’s got at least one notable supporter in his corner: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Roberts, a UCLA alumnus, made it clear he’s pulling for Cholowsky after watching the 21-year-old build his case as one of the top amateur players in the country. Cholowsky was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation’s top amateur baseball player, and he’s widely expected to come off the board early - possibly with the No. 1 overall pick.
“I have met Roch. Great kid.
My son is friends with him,” he said. “He’s obviously going to go high in the Draft, but I think what’s telling for me is he stuck around UCLA and didn’t chase the short money and the NIL.
He committed to UCLA, stuck with coach Savage, and other guys followed.
“They had a chance to be the best in the country, came up short, but high-character player. He’s going to have a great baseball career.”
Roberts would love the chance to coach him someday, but that won’t happen through the Dodgers in this draft. Los Angeles doesn’t pick until No. 40 overall.
Cholowsky’s final season at UCLA was a big one. As a three-year starter, he helped power the Bruins to a historic run in 2026, when they went 48-6 overall and 28-2 in the Big Ten. Those marks set new program and conference records for regular-season wins.
UCLA also spent the entire season ranked No. 1, setting the national record for the most consecutive weeks at the top of the poll.
On the field, Cholowsky was right in the middle of it all. He hit .320/.452/.636 with 10 doubles, 21 home runs and 60 RBI in 60 games this past season. Over his UCLA career, he finished at .329/.448/.624 with 41 doubles, two triples, 52 home runs and 167 RBI in 178 games.
The White Sox are considered the favorite to take him first overall, though high school shortstop Grady Emerson is also in the mix.
The 2026 MLB Draft starts Saturday, July 11, at 10 a.m. PT during All-Star Week in Philadelphia. The first day will air on NBC and Peacock, with MLB Network, MLB TV, MLB+ and MLB.com also providing coverage throughout the day.
As for the Dodgers, they enter the draft with six picks in the first 10 rounds and 16 selections overall. Their bonus pool sits at $3,951,900, the lowest in baseball.
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