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MLB·BREAKING·July 11, 2026 01:48 PM ET

White Sox take UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky No. 1 overall in 2026 MLB Draft

Chicago bets top pick on a college shortstop.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 111 min read
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Welcome to the Windy City! 🙌 The Chicago White Sox select UCLA's Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick in the 2026 Via @espn on X

What happened: The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA infielder Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The pick gives Chicago the headline name of this year's class as the club's top selection.

Why it matters: A No. 1 overall pick becomes the centerpiece of a rebuilding farm system and the player against whom the front office's amateur scouting will be measured for years. The selection lands during an active week for Chicago, which has also been reshaping its roster through trades involving the draft's later rounds.

What to watch: Cholowsky now moves into contract talks and the White Sox's minor-league assignment process before reporting to his first professional camp.

Sources

  • @espn 
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