Jim Thome, a Hall of Fame slugger and current special assistant to the Chicago White Sox general manager, shared insights on scouting top prospects for the 2026 MLB Draft. He recently evaluated UCLA infielder Roch Cholowsky, the draft's top-ranked prospect, and highlighted his son Landon's potential as a No. 42-ranked high school infielder. Thome also expressed excitement about the White Sox's young core and new addition Munetaka Murakami.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jim Thome has experienced the MLB Draft from multiple perspectives, starting with his own selection by Cleveland in the 13th round in 1989 out of Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill. Over 22 seasons, he hit 612 home runs with 1,699 RBIs and a .956 OPS, earning induction into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2018.
Now serving as a special assistant to White Sox general manager Chris Getz, Thome contributes to scouting efforts. He visited UCLA last weekend to watch Roch Cholowsky, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the top prospect for the 2026 Draft. The White Sox hold the No. 1 overall pick after winning the lottery at the Winter Meetings.
Thome's most personal connection to the draft involves his son, Landon, a senior infielder at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Ill., ranked as the No. 42 prospect. "It could happen soon," Thome told MLB.com in a recent interview about his son entering professional baseball. "It’s a joy as a father to watch him since he’s been six years old to play. And he keeps improving, he keeps getting better. As a dad, I’ve had a front-row seat."
Thome praised coach Lee Milano at Nazareth for allowing him to assist players, including Landon, in building confidence and understanding the game's ups and downs. Landon could be a target for the White Sox, though evaluations continue.
On Cholowsky, observed at Jackie Robinson Field, Thome said, "Oh yeah. I think he’s a nice player. He has a really nice offensive skill set." He emphasized the value of the team's scouting information for draft decisions in July, describing the process as fulfilling dreams for amateur players.
Thome has observed young White Sox talents like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, Chase Meidroth, Grant Taylor and Shane Smith during Arizona workouts and Cactus League games. He is particularly impressed by Munetaka Murakami, the new first baseman from Japan. "He’s in a great position to hit. He has tremendous power," Thome said. "Like any power guy, it’s fun when you watch a guy that’s a true power guy, to see him take BP. ... I truly believe there’s more growth, more in there that I think he can get even better."
Thome is optimistic about the team's development. "It’s been a lot of fun," he said. "The energy here, the excitement around some of our new guys, and then the guys we’ve had who are gaining ground and really working hard. ... Fun, exciting, it’s a really great time to be a White Sox."
