White Sox Face Tough Draft Decision on Cholowsky

Highly touted UCLA shortstop has scouts buzzing ahead of 2026 MLB Draft

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Chicago White Sox hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, and they face a tough decision on whether to select Roch Cholowsky, the standout UCLA shortstop who has put up eye-popping numbers through his first 15 games of the 2026 college season.

Why it matters

The White Sox have struggled to develop consistent offensive talent in recent years, and landing a potential franchise player like Cholowsky could be a game-changer for the organization. However, teams must weigh the risk of taking a college player who may not immediately translate to the pro game.

The details

Cholowsky, a junior at UCLA, has been on a tear to start the 2026 season, batting .309 with 8 home runs and 18 RBIs in just 15 games. His numbers have him on pace for 35 home runs, which would tie the NCAA single-season record. Scouts rave about Cholowsky's power potential and believe he could be MLB-ready by 2027.

  • Cholowsky has put up his impressive stats through the first 15 games of the 2026 college baseball season.

The players

Roch Cholowsky

A junior shortstop at UCLA who is considered one of the top prospects for the 2026 MLB Draft.

Chicago White Sox

The MLB team that holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft and must decide whether to select Cholowsky.

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What’s next

The White Sox will have to weigh the potential upside of Cholowsky against any concerns about his ability to immediately translate to the pro game as they make their decision with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

The takeaway

The White Sox face a pivotal decision with the top pick in the 2026 draft, as they must decide whether Cholowsky's eye-popping college numbers and perceived MLB readiness are enough to warrant selecting the UCLA shortstop and potentially landing a franchise-altering talent.