Day 1 of 2026 MLB Draft Highlights Top Picks and Team Strategies
The first four rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft saw the Chicago White Sox select Roch Cholowsky first overall, while several teams made notable moves that reveal their scouting priorities.
The 2026 MLB Draft opened on Saturday in Philadelphia, with the first four rounds completed before the second day began. The Chicago White Sox chose UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the top pick, a decision that aligned with pre-draft consensus on his status as the class’s premier prospect.
The White Sox also acquired the 34th overall competitive-balance pick from the Pittsburgh Pirates, using it to select prep infielder Landon Thome, followed by another prep infielder, Cole Prosek, in the second round. Their third-round choice was Georgia right-hander Joey Volchko, and they added Oregon State right-hander Eric Segura in the fourth round.
The next three selections matched expert expectations: the Tampa Bay Rays took high-school shortstop Grady Emerson, the Minnesota Twins selected Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, and the San Francisco Giants drafted UC-Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora.
Kansas City deviated from the consensus by selecting Louisville outfielder Zion Rose in the fourth round, a move that reflects a willingness to take calculated risks on athletic upside.
Teams with new front offices also revealed their draft philosophies. Colorado’s first pick under president Paul DePodesta was Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, a college player with strong on-base skills. Washington selected Texas A&M infielder Chris Hacopian, whose offensive metrics appealed to the Nationals’ new baseball-operations group despite defensive concerns. The Los Angeles Angels, under new leadership, chose high-school two-way prospect Jared Grindlinger, signaling a shift toward selecting the best talent regardless of immediate major-league readiness.
Pitcher selections proved variable, with a cluster of arms taken between picks 19 and 23 and later picks including Arkansas right-hander Carson Wiggins (New York Mets, No. 27) and Arkansas left-hander Hunter Dietz (New York Yankees, No. 35).
San Francisco’s draft emphasized pitching, adding Flora, left-hander Carson Bolemon (No. 29) and right-hander Kaden Waechter (No. 55). The Giants also selected outfielder Peyton Bonds (No. 90), a relative of former Giants star Bobby Bonds, adding depth to their outfield prospects.