The White Sox struck gold when they won the draft lottery in the offseason, as Roch Cholowsky was the clear-cut number one pick heading into the 2026 season. However, after the season, the race for the number one pick has narrowed quite a bit.
According to Scott Merkin, the pick is down to a three man race: Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, or Vahn Lackey. All three are extremely talented players and will likely be great major leaguers. Unfortunately, the White Sox can only take one of these players.
The White Sox 1-1 selection in the 2026 Draft will come from Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson or Vahn Lackey, according to comments today from White Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley. Not exactly stunning news there.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 8, 2026
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In just a few hours, the wait will be over and the White Sox will have their new face of the franchise. But, the question still remains, who will be the pick? Let’s take a look at each of the potential picks to see what the White Sox will be getting if they select each player.
Roch Cholowsky
Cholowsky is considered the best college player in this draft class and many consider him to be the best player in the draft. After his Sophomore season at UCLA where he hit .353 with 23 home runs and 74 RBIs in 66 games, he followed it up with another very good season.
Roch Cholowsky belts his 18th HR of the year.
Homered in 3 straight games with 4 HR during that stretch. pic.twitter.com/JMfqoWPoDi
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) April 28, 2026
This past year at UCLA, he hit .320 with a .452 OBP. He added 21 homeruns and 60 RBIs. While this wasn’t quite as good as his 2025 season, these are still very impressive numbers. He had a 1.088 OPS and a 1:1 strikeout to walk ratio. That puts him in elite company.
Cholowsky is also a very good fielder and has a strong arm. He could create a shuffle in the White Sox infield sooner than we realize.
Cholowsky was hit with the same “prospect fatigue” Caleb Williams was in his draft class. At the end of the day, I still believe he should and will be the pick.
Grady Emerson
Emerson is without a doubt the best prep player in this draft class and has received many comps to Bobby Witt Jr. While they aren’t the same player, they both were seen to have high ceilings as prep shortstops.
The sky is the limit for Grady Emerson.
A small percentage of draft simulations see him going 1.1 over Roch. pic.twitter.com/9EOX5OpfXY
— Over-Slot Baseball (@OverSlot_) April 10, 2026
Emerson was the Gatorade National Player of the Year and had an outstanding season. He hit an extremely impressive .532 with an insane .648 OBP. He added seven home runs and 21 stolen bases. This is exactly what you want to see out of a prep shortstop.
He could be the best player in the class when it’s all said and done, but his path to the majors will take a bit longer than Cholowsky and Lackey. Whoever drafts him will be getting a very good player who could end up being a star.
Vahn Lackey
Lackey was one of the biggest risers in this year’s class, as there wasn’t much buzz for him as the first overall pick before the season started. However, Lackey may have had the best season in college baseball.
Lackey hit .397 with a .519 OBP. He added 20 homeruns and 78 RBIs. He walked 50 times compared to just 38 strikeouts. He also added 15 stolen bases.
When you hit it so far it clears your own scoreboard pic.
Vahn Lackey: 468 feet. 😳 pic.twitter.com/JkEzT8usiy
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 31, 2026
This is an impressive season for anyone, but especially from a catcher. Lackey will likely stick behind the plate as well, as he has an impressive arm and can handle a pitching staff.
If Cholowsky wasn’t in this class, Lackey would be considered the best college player in the draft. Whoever selects him will get a fast rising catcher that could find his way in the major leagues by the end of next season.
Overall, this is a great year to have the first overall pick as the White Sox will have their pick of three great players. Today’s draft will be a huge day for the organization and they will potentially add three game changing players in the first 41 picks.
