​In previous seasons we’ve crafted individual stories for every White Sox selection in the draft. This year, we’ll rely on a constantly updated Day 2 draft tracker to handle the breadth, while continuing to run in-depth features on the White Sox’s first five picks (Nos. 1, 34, 44, 77, 105). A notable addition to our coverage is Melissa Sage-Bollenbach’s presence in Philadelphia, where she will be on the ground reporting for us. That means more unique details and quotes you won’t find elsewhere, plus video and other posts across our social channels: @southsidesox.bsky.social on Blue Sky, South Side Sox on Facebook, @sss_south_side_sox on Instagram, @southsidesox_ on TikTok, @sss_south_side_sox on Threads, and @SouthSideSox on Twitter/X.
To kick off our coverage of today’s five picks and the next 16 on Sunday, here’s a How to Watch guide. But honestly, let us handle the heavy lifting and stay tuned for real-time updates from South Side Sox.
2026 MLB draft
Day 1: Saturday, July 11 (Rounds 1-4)
– Noon-12:30 p.m. CT Preview show (NBC/Peacock)
– 12:30-1:30 p.m. CT Lottery picks 1-10 (NBC/Peacock)
– 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT Picks 11-40 (MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+)
– 3:30-6:45 p.m. CT Picks 41-135 (MLB.com, MLB.TV+)
Day 2: Sunday, July 12 (Rounds 5-20)
– 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. CT Rounds 5-20 (MLB.com, MLB.TV+)
The 2026 MLB draft is taking place in Philadelphia as part of MLB All-Star Week. First-day coverage is packed with interviews of newly drafted players, highlight packages, real-time analysis from MLB experts, footage from team draft rooms, and interviews with front office personnel. Sunday’s coverage will be thorough, but given the sheer volume of picks, the broadcast frequently relies on fast, stock-ticker-style updates.
MLB draft primer
After trading Jacob Gonzalez to the Pirates, the White Sox have the largest draft pool in baseball: $20,489,500. Each of the first 10 rounds has a designated slot value, and adding those values defines the team’s bonus pool. Teams may spend more or less on any draft selection in any round, all the way through Round 20. In general, teams are allowed to exceed their pool by up to 5%, but spending beyond the pool is taxed at 75% for any amount over the limit; for example, if the White Sox sign all 21 of their draft picks for $21 million, they would pay a 75% tax on the extra $510,500. Given a Jerry Reinsdorf-led operation, it’s unlikely the White Sox will exceed their bonus pool. Exceeding the pool by more than 5% is considered “cheating” and carries heavier penalties and the potential loss of future picks—no team has ever done this.
Rounds 11–20 carry slot values of $150,000, but that portion is treated as “free” money in the sense that it does not count against the bonus pool. Any contract above $150,000 for a Round 11–20 pick triggers additional payment beyond the slot value, but the base slot itself does not reduce the pool.