It’s not hyperbole to say that December 9th, 2025 could be one of the most important days in recent White Sox history. That was the day the organization won the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery, receiving the first overall pick in a 2026 draft class stacked with elite prospects.
UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is among the group of players vying for the top pick in this year’s draft, and early on in the college season, he is sending the White Sox a clear message: he’s the guy.
Monster Start to 2026
The 20-year-old is off to a monster start for the Bruins to begin the 2026 season. In just five games, he has already hit five home runs, including two multi-homer performances. He also has three doubles, ten RBI, 11 runs scored, a 1.286 slugging percentage, and a 238 wRC+.
ROCH CHOLOWSKY AGAIN 🚀
The No. 1 draft prospect has FIVE homers in FIVE games 😳
(🎥@UCLABaseball)
pic.twitter.com/kh2leSwAgS— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) February 21, 2026
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It’s a small sample size, but he is picking up right where he left off last season, a year in which he slashed .353/.480/.710 with 23 home runs in 66 games and was named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He led UCLA to the College World Series for the first time in 12 years and was also named the Brooks Wallace Award winner, given annually to the best college shortstop. He was also named to the United States national baseball team. Baseball evaluators are taking notice. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline considers him “the biggest lock” for the first pick since Adley Rutschman in 2019, and the best college shortstop since Troy Tulowitzki in 2005.
Roch Cholowsky's start to 2026 should have White Sox fans feeling very excited for July to come around.
26 PA
.429/.500/1.286
1.786 OPS
5 HR
3 2B
10 RBI
11 R
3/3 BB/K
238 wRC+He's exceeded every expectation so far. Truly a special talent at the SS position. pic.twitter.com/A6XfEHzAnY
— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) February 21, 2026
Rave Reviews
Cholowsky also draws rave reviews for the way he carries himself off the field. Teammates and coaches alike praise his work ethic, preparation, baseball IQ, leadership skills, and toughness, which stem from his multi-sport background, including a scholarship offer to play quarterback at Notre Dame. UCLA baseball coach John Savage went so far as describing Cholowsky as a “head coach’s dream”. Given the blend of on-field skills and leadership, Cholowsky appears to have face-of-the-franchise potential who has fallen into the White Sox laps.
Other Potential Options at #1
For as slam dunk of a pick as Cholowsky appears for the White Sox at the moment, it is worth taking into consideration that the draft isn’t until July. A lot can change between now and then, especially given how stacked this draft class is shaping up to be. Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron has four homers himself so far and a 1.486 OPS. Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson and UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora could also be in the conversation for the top pick depending on how the next few months play out.
Dream Scenario For White Sox
The White Sox are in a situation many teams could only dream of. They have the first pick in a draft loaded with talent. No matter what direction they ultimately go in, they have their pick of whoever they want and will land an elite prospect with franchise-changing ability. They control this year’s draft, and with the way things are going, Roch Cholowsky might make their decision easy for them.
