The White Sox select UCLA SS Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick in the @MLBDraft. Via @Feinsand on X

What happened: The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, per Feinsand. The selection came as the draft got underway in Philadelphia.

Why it matters: Cholowsky becomes the headline addition to Chicago's rebuild, arriving as the first player off the board in a draft cycle White Sox officials had steered toward for months. The pick anchors the organization's infield pipeline heading into the coming seasons.

What to watch: Cholowsky moves into contract talks and the White Sox' player development system. The rest of the first round continues with additional picks still to be made.

Sources