​CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox used the No. 1 overall selection in the MLB draft on Saturday to grab UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky. The 21-year-old standout slashed .320/.452/.636 with 10 doubles, 21 home runs, 60 RBIs, 73 runs and a 1.088 OPS in 60 games during his junior season with the Bruins.
“Drafting Roch today adds another standout talent and person of impressive character to this organization at absolutely the right time,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said in a statement. “Roch, his family and his support system impressed us throughout the entire process, and his experience at UCLA certainly prepared him to take the next step as a professional. An outstanding defensive shortstop, Roch brings an impact bat to any lineup, and he is a leader on the field as well as in the clubhouse. He has more than lived up to very high expectations, and we cannot wait to get him into our organization, get started and see him continue his growth and success.”
The pick drew a loud cheer from fans watching the video board at Guaranteed Rate Field before Saturday’s game against the Oakland Athletics. When Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Cholowsky as the top pick, Sox fans gathered for the draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia erupted, waving MLB-issued towels in celebration.
During his three seasons at UCLA (2024–26), Cholowsky hit .329/.448/.624, collecting 224 hits in 681 at-bats, including 41 doubles and 52 home runs. He drove in 167 runs, drew 105 walks, scored 191 times and posted a 1.072 OPS over 178 games. He also became only the third player in Big Ten history to be named Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons, underscoring his status as one of the premier college hitters of his era and helping drive his consensus status as a first-team All-American.
MLB Pipeline ranked Cholowsky as the No. 2 prospect in the 2026 class, underscoring the high expectations surrounding his development. “Roch has had an amazing career, performing at an elite level while handling the pressures and expectations that come with entering this season as the top prospect in college baseball,” Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said in a statement. “As much as he impressed us with his offensive and defensive abilities on the field at UCLA, I told him we were equally impressed by the maturity and poise he showed under intense scrutiny all season long. Not only is he an outstanding baseball player, but his parents should be extremely proud of the young man he has become. We are more than excited to add Roch to our organization today.” Cholowsky was recommended by Sox area scout Carlos Muniz.
Cholowsky becomes the third No. 1 overall pick in White Sox history, joining Danny Goodwin (1971) and Hall of Famer Harold Baines (1977). The selection marks a continued push by Chicago to infuse elite talent into its system, with Cholowsky expected to develop into a dynamic two-way contributor at shortstop who can contribute both in the field and with power at the plate. His advanced plate discipline, multi-year success as a premier hitter and proven leadership qualities project him as a potential cornerstone presence for the franchise as he progresses through the minor leagues and, eventually, into the major leagues. The organization’s optimism centers on his defensive acumen, arm strength, range and ability to handle high-stakes situations, along with the offensive upside that made him one of the most coveted college talents in the 2026 draft class.