Who Is Roch Cholowsky? Get to Know the White Sox's No. 1 Overall Pick
With the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox took the consensus top college player in the country, selecting UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky.
There were heavy rumors that Chicago could go in a different direction, with Grady Emerson and Vahn Lackey emerging as possible options. In the end, the White Sox stuck with the player long projected to be the top pick entering the year.
Cholowsky is the definition of an athlete. He starred at quarterback in high school, won a state championship and even received an offer to play football at Notre Dame. Ultimately, he chose baseball, a decision that has clearly paid off during his time with the Bruins.
The 21-year-old has long been admired by scouts, ranking as a top-50 prospect coming out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona, in 2023. It's the same high school that produced New York Yankees All-Star left fielder Cody Bellinger.
Despite the likelihood that he would be selected early and receive a massive payday out of high school, Cholowsky chose to bet on himself and attend UCLA. Three years later, that decision has paid off in a major way. The slot value for the first overall pick in this year's draft sits at $11.3506 million, and Cholowsky will likely receive close to the full value.
Roch Cholowsky was emotional after being selected first overall by the White Sox pic.twitter.com/Ywv6X7JCA5
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 11, 2026
After a solid freshman season where Cholowsky adjusted to a new level of competition, he nearly tripled his home run total in 2025. That year, he hit .353 with 19 doubles, 23 home runs, 74 RBI and a 1.190 OPS in 66 games.
He put up nearly identical numbers this season, hitting .320 with 10 doubles, 21 home runs, 60 RBI and a 1.088 OPS in 60 games.
As good as Cholowsky is at the plate, his defense might be even better. He made several highlight-reel plays during his time in the Big Ten and has the potential to become a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop. MLB Pipeline backed that up, giving both his defense and hit tool a 60 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale. His overall grade sits at 65.
The one tool the 21-year-old lacks is speed. He isn't going to be a major threat on the basepaths, but the tradeoff should be just fine given how often he gets on base.
Cholowsky consistently makes contact and has a keen eye at the plate, allowing him to make strong swing decisions. There's definitely more room for the shortstop to grow, and there will likely be some growing pains along the way. However, he's also known for his leadership and strong mindset, two traits that should serve him well in the future.
Many believe Cholowsky will fast-track to the major leagues for all the reasons stated above. The White Sox could eventually have quite the infield with him, Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami if he stays long term.
After enduring several horrendous seasons, the White Sox have completely revitalized their organization, not only for this season but beyond.
The team selected Hagen Smith out of Arkansas in the first-round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He's currently ranked as the No. 53 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. The left-hander will likely make his debut at some point this season, with many believing he has the potential to become a future ace.
With Smith, last year's prep shortstop Billy Carlson, a promising young core and now Cholowsky joining the organization, the future in Chicago looks brighter than it has in a long time.
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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 11:40 AM.