​The 2026 MLB Draft is approaching, with the first four rounds set for Saturday, July 11 and the remaining 16 rounds scheduled for Sunday, July 12. The Chicago White Sox find themselves in a rare position, both contending for the American League Central lead and holding the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Rounding out the top five selections are the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
This draft could go down as historic depending on how negotiations over the expired collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLBPA unfold. Some proposed changes have already carried draft implications, such as the MLBPA’s suggestion that players would no longer be eligible for the draft straight out of high school. That would mark a significant shift moving forward. For example, this year’s class features four of the top eight prospects who are high school players, according to MLB.com.
Leading the pack among the top prospects are 18-year-old shortstop Grady Emerson, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, and UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora. They stand out as the vanguard of a highly touted class and will be central figures in the draft chatter as selection day approaches.
Draft coverage times and where to watch:
– Picks 1-10 (1:00–2:30 p.m. ET): NBC and Peacock
– Picks 11-40 (2:30–4:30 p.m. ET): MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB+
– Picks 41-135 (4:30–7:45 p.m. ET): MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB+
For the latest picks, expert analysis, and ongoing updates from the 2026 MLB Draft, Yahoo Sports has you covered. Jake Mintz and the team will provide live updates and in-depth commentary as the selections unfold.
The White Sox have held the spotlight for some time now, ever since securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft lottery in December. Not many expected Chicago to rise to a .500+ pace and to sit atop the American League Central, but here they are, positioned to capitalize on one of the most important decisions of the franchise’s recent history. So, whom will Chicago choose? The options are distinctly attractive: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, and a Texas high school shortstop named Grady Emerson are the three leading candidates. The prevailing industry view is that the White Sox will select one of these three on draft day, though there is always room for an unexpected pivot from general manager Chris Getz and his team.
In-depth coverage of each top prospect is essential, as it highlights what makes these players special and helps handicap their likelihood of being the first name called on July 11. Cholowsky brings elite bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility at shortstop; Lackey offers standout catching ability, game-calling acumen, and a strong right-handed profile; Emerson represents the high school route that could redefine the early portion of the draft if organizations shift toward future eligibility rules. As July 11 approaches, the conversation will focus on how these players perform in pre-draft evaluations and how teams weigh immediate impact against long-term potential.
This draft carries the potential to reshape how MLB teams evaluate and pursue talent in the near future. With significant questions surrounding the CBA and the evolving eligibility landscape, the 2026 MLB Draft may mark a turning point for the sport as teams align on long-term strategies for talent acquisition and development.