The Chicago White Sox made Roch Cholowsky the first overall pick Saturday afternoon, taking the UCLA shortstop at the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft in Philadelphia.
Cholowsky’s name had been in the mix with the other top talents available, including Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, who went second overall to the Tampa Bay Rays, and Minnesota Twins selection Danny Goodwin, who went third.
For the White Sox, it marked the first time they had picked first overall since 1985, when they took outfielder Harold Baines, who later became a Hall of Famer in 2019. Chicago also selected high school catcher Danny Goodwin first overall in 1971, but he did not sign.
Cholowsky’s profile has been built on a strong all-around game. He was ranked second among NCAA Division I shortstops this season in wins above replacement and defensive runs saved per USA Baseball, which named him a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur player.
Only three players have finished ahead of him in draft evaluations, and his case has been driven by more than just the glove. The right-handed hitter checked in at 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, and he has said he prefers football, though he also described baseball as the best professional outcome.
If he had gone to college three years ago, Cholowsky was drafted in the first round, 25th overall, by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022. He played eight seasons with four organizations professionally, including 263 games at Triple-A, before turning to scouting.
Chicago has been a surprise contender in the American League Central over the past several years. One of their leaders is shortstop Colson Montgomery, who has developed into one of the best players at his position in a league deep with big-time talent.
The White Sox also have a deep farm system rich with additional shortstop talent like Caleb Bonemer and Billy Carlson. But a good thing about drafting any shortstop is the flexibility to move him elsewhere if needed. By the time Cholowsky, Montgomery and others could move farther up the diamond, the White Sox and others could be looking elsewhere on the dirt.
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