​Another Oregon Duck is headed to the Windy City. Cal Scolari, a right-handed pitcher from Oregon, was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, landing with the No. 137 overall pick. Scolari’s arrival in Eugene was the result of a major transfer and development win for the Ducks, guided by pitching coach Matt Florer, who brought him to Oregon from San Diego. After earning the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year honor in 2025, Scolari joined the Ducks and continued to dominate on the mound.
A mainstay in the weekend rotation, Scolari closed out the season with a 3.32 ERA and 85 strikeouts. His fastball, touching the mid-90s, paired with a wipeout slider, helped him rise as a top prospect late in the year. He also features a developing changeup and a slower curveball, giving him a varied arsenal. Scolari’s ability to max and mix a couple of different pitches offers upside as a starter, but he did encounter some inconsistency with his command in the postseason, a factor that could lead the White Sox to consider him as a potential bullpen piece down the line.
Hailing from Nevada, Scolari is expected to sign with Chicago, though he still has two years of remaining eligibility if he chooses to return to Oregon. The deadline to return to school is July 27. If he opts to come back, Scolari would likely reclaim a rotation spot and help the Ducks address a significant need for the following season. He becomes the second Duck drafted, following Ryan Cooney, who went in the third round to the Toronto Blue Jays. Oregon also had commit Andruw Giles selected in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Ducks are waiting to hear more from MLB clubs on additional selections, including shortstop Maddox Molony.
For ongoing Oregon Ducks coverage, you can contact or follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like the Ducks Wire page on Facebook. This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire, highlighting Cal Scolari’s selection by the Chicago White Sox in the 2026 MLB draft and its implications for Oregon’s program and future seasons.