For the third time in franchise history and first time in 49 years, the Chicago White Sox have the No. 1 pick in the Major League Baseball draft, which takes place Saturday-Sunday in Philadelphia.
The Sox have narrowed the field to three players: shortstops Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson and catcher Vahn Lackey.
“We’re not looking for a savior,” Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said this week.
The last time the Sox had the top pick, in 1977, they selected Harold Baines, who went on to a 22-year Hall of Fame career.
Rounds 1-4 of the draft begin at noon Saturday on NBC-5 and Peacock, while Rounds 5-20 begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on MLB.com, MLB TV and MLB+.
Here’s a quick look at the top-three prospects.
Roch Cholowsky
- Position: Shortstop
- School: UCLA
- Age: 21
- Bats-throws: R-R
- MLB.com ranking: 2
- ESPN.com ranking: 1
- 2026 stats: Slashed .320/.452/.636 with 21 home runs, 60 RBIs and 73 runs scored as a junior.
What they’re saying: “The hesitation by some is the lack of explosive upside and elite physical traits some expect at the No. 1 pick. Cholowsky has plus raw power … at a 20-25 homer upside with a solid average, and he is a reliable defender. A very talented player, sure, and likely quick to the big leagues, but will he post a 5-WAR season? He could if it all clicks, but there isn’t Bobby Witt Jr.-type upside here.” — ESPN.com
Grady Emerson
- Position: Shortstop
- School: Fort Worth (Texas) Christian
- Age: 18
- Bats-throws: L-R
- MLB.com ranking: 1
- ESPN.com ranking: 2
- 2026 stats: Slashed .532/.648/1.013 with seven home runs, 50 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in his senior high school season.
What they’re saying: “Emerson’s advanced skills stand out as much as his tools, starting with the way he stacks up quality at-bats, making good swing decisions and barreling balls to all fields. He generates impressive exit velocities with a pretty left-handed stroke, and while he doesn’t sell out for power, his bat speed and projectable strength portend future 25-homer pop. He presently focuses on just making hard contact in game action but can launch balls in batting practice and finished second at the High School Home Run Derby during All-Star Week.” — MLB.com
Vahn Lackey
- Position: Catcher
- School: Georgia Tech
- Age: 21
- Bats-throws: R-R
- MLB.com ranking: 3
- ESPN.com ranking: 3
- 2026 stats: Slashed .397/.519/.772 with 20 home runs and 78 walks as a junior.
What they’re saying: “Lackey’s right-handed swing can get a little busy, but that doesn’t prevent him from making consistent contact to all fields. He’s extremely patient, rarely misses fastballs and has the plus raw power to provide 25-30 homers on an annual basis. His flat stroke produces too much groundball contact, but he’s driving balls harder than ever and in the air a bit more often this spring.” — MLB.com
