White Sox hold No. 1 pick in 2026 MLB Draft, likely to select UCLA shortstop
The Chicago White Sox, who won the lottery despite a poor record last season, are expected to use the top overall selection on UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, while other teams finalize their first-round choices.
The 2026 Major League Baseball draft begins Saturday, July 11, with the first round starting at 1 p.m. ET. Chicago, which posted the league’s second-worst record last season, won the lottery and will make its third ever No. 1 overall selection. The White Sox are projected to choose UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, though high school shortstop Grady Emerson remains a close alternative.
White Sox scouting director Mike Shirley said the organization is “super excited about what the group is doing in Chicago and even the guys in the minor leagues, how they are transforming the organization. Everybody contributed to the growth. This player (who we select with the No. 1 pick) will supplement that, and he will add value to it quickly. That will be the responsibility that comes with it.”
San Francisco moved up to the No. 4 slot, its highest pick since 2018, while Colorado fell back to No. 10 after a string of lottery selections. Several teams—including the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies and Yankees—had their first-round picks pushed back ten spots as penalties for exceeding the competitive-balance tax threshold in 2025.
Analysts’ mock drafts show the Rays likely to take Emerson at No. 2, the Twins to select catcher Vahn Lackey at No. 3, and the Giants to reach for shortstop Jacob Lombard at No. 4. The remainder of the first round features a mix of high-school and college talent across positions, with teams balancing signing-bonus considerations and organizational needs.