​Six players from Chandler Hamilton’s 2022 state championship baseball team have been selected in MLB drafts across the past four years, marking a notable run of professional interest for the squad. Led by UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, who became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft after being taken by the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, July 11, the 2026 draft continued the trend of players from the 2022 Hamilton roster moving on to professional prospects. Cholowsky’s ascent to the top spot underscores the caliber of talent that emerged from that championship lineup, which finished the season with a dominant 29-4 record and capped it with a run-rule victory over Chandler, 11-1, in five innings to clinch the 6A state title.
On Day 2 of the 2026 draft, three additional Hamilton alumni from the 2022 team were selected, bringing a steady stream of professional interest from MLB clubs. Kole Klecker, a right-handed pitcher who had spent his college years at Arizona State after transferring from Texas Christian University, was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the 10th round. Klecker’s college path — TCU, then ASU — reflects the route many high-profile arms have navigated in recent years. Rohan Lettow, a pitcher who showcased his stuff at San Diego State, was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 12th round. And infielder Ryan Kucherak, who played his college ball at Northwestern, was picked by the San Diego Padres in the 15th round. These selections illustrate the depth of the Hamilton program’s talent and its ability to produce players capable of competing at the highest levels of amateur and professional baseball.
Beyond the 2026 selections, the program’s recent history includes other players who have found opportunities in the professional ranks. Outfielder Gavin Turley, for example, was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2025 MLB draft, signaling that the pipeline from Chandler Hamilton to the pros remains active. Pitcher Josh Tiedemann, another name in the alumni mix, joined the New York Yankees as a 13th-round pick in the 2023 draft, further illustrating how the championship team has continued to contribute to MLB rosters in the years since its title run.
Among the broader landscape of Arizona high school talent, Ezekiel Zion, an outfielder from Campo Verde, stands out as the lone 2026 Arizona high school player selected in the draft’s 20-round format. Zion was chosen by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round, securing the 605th overall selection and signaling the continued reach of Arizona high school programs into the upper tiers of the MLB talent pool.
Richard Obert, a veteran Arizona high school sports observer who has covered the scene since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic, notes the sustained significance of the Hamilton team’s impact. Obert’s coverage has chronicled how a single high school program can produce multiple professional prospects across several drafts, underscoring the strength of the state’s prep baseball pipeline. Readers can stay connected with Obert’s ongoing reporting on Azcentral Preps Now, where high school sports updates and features are continually posted, including newsletters and subscription options to keep fans in the loop about all the latest developments.
This story, which originally appeared in the Arizona Republic, highlights how a championship team from Chandler Hamilton has produced six MLB draftees across four drafts, emphasizing the enduring links between standout high school programs and professional baseball, and illustrating the ripple effects a state championship can have on players’ opportunities at the next level. For fans, coaches, and players alike, the Hamilton legacy in 2022 continues to resonate as a notable chapter in Arizona high school sports history.