What happened: Roch Cholowsky, the UCLA shortstop the Chicago White Sox took No. 1 overall on July 11 in Philadelphia, has agreed to a $10.35 million signing bonus, according to multiple reports. The 21-year-old hit .320 with 21 home runs and a 1.088 OPS this past season for the top-ranked Bruins.

Why it matters: The bonus breaks the previous draft record of $9.25 million, shared by Reds pitcher Chase Burns and Rockies slugger Charlie Condon in 2024. White Sox GM Chris Getz said the club was set on Cholowsky regardless of cost, tracing the interest back to his high school days.

What to watch: Cholowsky now enters the White Sox system as the top pick from the 2026 draft class.