White Sox Complete 2026 MLB Draft After Taking Roch Cholowsky No. 1 Overall

Q: Scouts noted hitting flaws despite his success. What must the No. 1 pick fix to achieve his All-Star potential?

To reach his All-Star ceiling, Roch Cholowsky must tighten his swing so it plays against premium professional velocity, especially on pitches inside and at the top of the zone. Scouts’ main concern is that his load has too many moving parts and needs to be quicker. Evaluators have pointed to an Eloy Jimenez-like setup that can leave his hands late, causing him to get jammed on inside fastballs. That issue is tied to his tendency to hunt pitches on the outer half, which worked in college but could be exposed more consistently by pro arms. There is also concern about his hand position during the load. Cholowsky tends to drop his hands, which can lock him into a path better suited for lower pitches and make him vulnerable to high velocity up in the strike zone. Some scouts also see inefficient rotation in the swing, which could hurt his timing against better fastballs and limit how often he turns hittable pitches into pulled damage. The broader test is whether he can prove it against elite velocity. Even supporters noted he had not seen much premium heat in college and, in limited looks, did not do much with it. His junior year also brought a modest rise in strikeouts and a slight dip in walk rate, small indicators that better pitching was beginning to challenge him more. If he simplifies the load, gets his hands through faster, and handles velocity inside and up, his bat and defense still give him clear All-Star upside.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 13

Twenty rounds of the 2026 MLB draft wrapped Sunday after Chicago opened the event by taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick.
The top five went heavily toward premium up-the-middle talent: Tampa Bay took shortstop Grady Emerson at No. 2, Minnesota catcher Vahn Lackey went No. 3, San Francisco pitcher Jackson Flora No. 4 and Pittsburgh outfielder Derek Curiel No. 5.
Day 1 also featured several notable reaches and value plays, including Kansas City taking Zion Rose at No. 6 despite an No. 18 ranking, while Miami landed shortstop Jacob Lombard at No. 14 after he entered the draft ranked sixth.
The full board extended through Round 20, with clubs balancing upside, polish and bonus strategy across 613 picks as the draft shifted from first-round headliners to organizational depth.