The White Sox appear to be keeping their options open with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, or at least that’s the message they’re putting out.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the team is not yet ready to commit to taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, widely viewed as the best prospect in the class. In fact, one general manager with a top-five pick believes there’s still a chance Cholowsky could fall down the board.
The Chicago White Sox remain uncertain who they will draft with the No. 1 pick in July, and insist they have not committed to taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, the consensus top player in the draft. It’s also unclear, several executives say, whether the White Sox are Cholowsky’s top preference.
One GM, whose team drafts in the top five, believes there’s still a chance Cholowsky falls to them.
via Bob Nightengale/USA Today
This comes on the heels of ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel report saying the White Sox could consider Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson at first overall instead, noting that Cholowsky “isn’t a slam dunk just yet.”
Since almost everyone in baseball has the same report and outlook for Cholowsky, this pick then comes down to exactly what you think Emerson’s potential is and if he’s a quick mover. Some evaluators think Emerson has higher upside and if you think he’ll also move quickly (Konnor Griffin debuted as a 19-year-old, Jackson Holliday at age 20, Kevin McGonigle at 21) then he could also look like a superior prospect in the minors within a year or so.
If he’s both things and he comes at some bonus savings vs. Cholowsky, you can logically justify picking Emerson. Some teams I’ve spoken with see this decision as close enough to really dig in and the White Sox might be one of those teams.
via Kiley McDaniel/ESPN
Cholowsky, a junior at UCLA, has long been linked to Chicago and, by all accounts, appears to be the overwhelming favorite to go first overall. Through 43 games this season, he’s hitting .325 with 17 homers and 49 RBIs while playing stellar defense at shortstop. Though his production is a tick below his standout 2025 campaign, Cholowsky continues to display the same sort of well-rounded skill set and elite power that he featured last season, when he crushed 23 home runs.
Emerson, meanwhile, is strengthening his case as the top alternative for the Sox. Ranked just behind Cholowsky as the No. 2 prospect in the 2026 class, the Texas prep standout is widely regarded by scouts as a long-term “lock” for shortstop. His combination of athleticism, defensive reliability, and offensive upside has evaluators confident that he can stick at the position while developing into an impact bat.
There’s little doubt that either player would be a major addition to the White Sox organization. With more than three months remaining until draft day, however, the lack of a clear favorite should not come as a surprise. The team will continue to do its due diligence through the remainder of high school and college seasons and ultimately still has to negotiate a signing bonus with whoever they decide on. Until a deal is reached, expect to keep hearing about multiple options on the table.
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Featured Photo: UCLA Baseball/X
