Chicago White Sox sign record $10.4 million contract with No. 1 pick Roch Cholowsky
The Chicago White Sox signed UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky to a four-year contract with a record $10. 4 million signing bonus in Chicago. ESPN reported that the Chicago White Sox had narrowed their first-overall draft candidate pool to three prospects—a UCLA shortstop, a Georgia Tech catcher, and a Texas high-school shortstop. NBC Sports later noted the same three players as the club’s top options for the top pick. Subsequently, the White Sox used the first overall selection in the draft to choose UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The New York Post confirmed the pick, noting that commissioner Rob Manfred mispronounced his surname during the announcement. Boston Sports Journal added that the selection came as the Red Sox faced criticism for their own twentieth-round choice.
Finally, the club, which had earlier traded a 2023 first-round pick for a $20 million bonus pool, signed Cholowsky to a four-year contract worth $10. 35 million, setting a new draft-era bonus record, CBS Sports reported. NBC Sports echoed the contract details, citing a $10. 35 million total value. Bleacher Report said the signing bonus was $10. 4 million, establishing a new MLB record.
