The Chicago White Sox opened the 2026 MLB Draft by selecting UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick on Saturday in Philadelphia. Four alumni of the league’s MLB Develops program also went in the first round.
Cholowsky, a 21-year-old shortstop, was taken at 12:43 p.m. CT after leading UCLA with a .320/.452/.636 line and 21 home runs. White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Cholowsky had made clear during pre-draft visits that Chicago was his preferred destination.
The Rays followed by taking high school shortstop Grady Emerson at No. 2. The Twins chose Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey third, the Giants selected UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora fourth and the Pirates took LSU outfielder Derek Curiel fifth.
Four MLB Develops participants were chosen in the opening round. Outfielder Zion Rose of Louisville went sixth to the Royals, outfielder AJ Gracia of Virginia went ninth to the Braves, infielder Jacob Lombard of Gulliver Prep went 14th to the Marlins and right-hander Cade Townsend of Mississippi went 23rd to the Cubs. MLB chief baseball development officer Tony Reagins called the selections evidence that the program is creating opportunities for the next generation of players.
