​The White Sox will begin the 2026 MLB draft by picking No. 1 in the noon CT slot on Saturday, and their choice will come from three standout prospects: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, and prep shortstop Grady Emerson from Fort Worth Christian High School in Texas. We’re taking a closer look at all three as anticipation builds for the third No. 1 overall selection in franchise history.
If Chicago taps Cholowsky, it would propel him into rare company as only the third college shortstop to be chosen first overall—Bill Almon in 1974 and Dansby Swanson in 2015 are the other two. While neither of those players blossomed into Hall of Fame careers, their selection would underscore how highly Cholowsky is regarded in the scouting community. The chatter surrounding the No. 1 pick has, as the draft nears, begun to tilt toward the two other top contenders: Lackey and Emerson. It may simply reflect draft fatigue and evaluators weighing the breadth of talent in this class, but Cholowsky has remained in the upper echelon of mock drafts for essentially the past year.
Cholowsky’s standing is anchored in a reputation for elite bat-to-ball skills paired with polished defense. He entered the spring as a well-rounded hitter with a refined approach at the plate, and he continued to perform at a high level throughout the 2026 season, reinforcing his case as a potential No. 1 pick. If the White Sox elect Cholowsky, they would be selecting the player many evaluators regard as the most complete position player in the class—a stature that blends a sophisticated offensive approach with reliable defense at shortstop and the kind of all-around game that yields a sturdy floor and exciting upside.
For an organization that has stressed athleticism, especially in the middle of the diamond, and a high baseball IQ as core components of its rebuild, selecting Cholowsky would align perfectly with the franchise’s philosophy of drafting the best player available rather than making a snap decision based on immediate need. It’s also a choice that would honor a longstanding relationship; Chicago scouts had him in their sights long before the 2023 draft, when they showed substantial interest in him out of high school, indicating this is a connection years in the making.
Cholowsky’s background further explains the confidence surrounding him. Baseball is deeply ingrained in his family history: his father, Dan Cholowsky, was a first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1991 and spent eight seasons in professional baseball before transitioning to a role as a major league scout. That lineage has contributed to Cholowsky’s polished development, helping him cultivate an advanced feel for the game at a relatively young age and shaping his approach long before he reached college baseball.
Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 202 pounds, Cholowsky hails from Arizona and arrived at UCLA as one of the nation’s premier high school recruits, quickly becoming a centerpiece in the Bruins’ lineup. Over three seasons in Westwood, he evolved from a polished contact hitter into a player capable of delivering consistent performance while maintaining a strong defensive presence at shortstop. His development has been steady, with improvements in both the offensive and defensive aspects of his game, highlighting his potential to translate to the professional level.
In summary, Cholowsky embodies the kind of package the White Sox have been seeking: a high-floor, high-ceiling shortstop with an advanced offensive profile, reliable defense, and the intangibles that come with a well-rounded, baseball-literate upbringing. If Chicago selects him, it would reflect a commitment to the “best player available” approach rather than an era-specific need, while also recognizing a relationship that has endured from his high school days to his current status as one of the top prospects in the sport.