Cholowsky’s Draft Day Experience
Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop from UCLA, was the first overall selection in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday afternoon. The Chicago White Sox made Cholowsky their top pick. The draft event took place over two days, with the first 135 picks, encompassing the first four rounds, two Competitive Balance Rounds, four compensatory picks, and Prospect Promotion Incentive picks, occurring on the first day. Rounds 5-20 are scheduled for the following day.
Cholowsky celebrated the draft announcement with his family at Trophy Bar in Chandler, Arizona. The event was broadcast with multiple television cameras present, including one from MLB Network. When his name was called by commissioner Rob Manfred, Cholowsky reacted emotionally, smiling before burying his face in his hands and crying as his mother and sister embraced him.
Family Reactions and Baseball Legacy
Cholowsky’s father, Dan Cholowsky, a former minor league baseball player, displayed a more reserved reaction during the announcement. While his son was being drafted as the No. 1 overall pick, Dan Cholowsky remained seated and still, appearing focused on the studio show. An alternate view of the event further highlighted his understated demeanor.
Despite his initial stoicism, Dan Cholowsky eventually offered his son a handshake and a hug, indicating his pride. Dan Cholowsky himself was drafted twice in the first round; first by the Cincinnati Reds in 1988 and then by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1991. He played for eight seasons in the minor leagues.
First Round Selections
The first round of the 2026 MLB draft included 25 selections. Several teams had their first-round picks moved back by 10 slots due to exceeding the third luxury tax tier in 2025. These teams included the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, and Dodgers. For example, the Mets‘ first choice will be the 27th overall pick.
Other notable first-round selections included:
- Tampa Bay Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian High School (TX)
- Minnesota Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
- San Francisco Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
- Kansas City Royals: Zion Rose, OF, University of Louisville
- Baltimore Orioles: Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove High School (MS)
- Athletics: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
- Atlanta Braves: AJ Gracia, OF, University of Virginia
- Colorado Rockies: Tyler Bell, SS, University of Kentucky
- Washington Nationals: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
- Los Angeles Angels: Jared Grindlinger, LHP/OF, Huntington Beach High School (CA)
- St. Louis Cardinals: Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah High School (GA)
- Miami Marlins: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (FL)
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryder Helfrick, C, University of Arkansas
- Texas Rangers: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas High School (FL)
- Houston Astros: Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech
- Cincinnati Reds: Justin Lebron, SS, University of Alabama
- Cleveland Guardians: Liam Peterson, RHP, University of Florida
- Boston Red Sox: Jake Schaffner, SS, University of North Carolina
- San Diego Padres: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton High School (FL)
- Detroit Tigers: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina University
- Chicago Cubs: Cade Townsend, RHP, University of Mississippi
- Seattle Mariners: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
- Milwaukee Brewers: Trey Ebel, SS, Corona High School (CA)
The Pittsburgh Pirates will also have two picks in the second round, having received the 51st overall pick as compensation for not signing Angel Cervantes, who was the 50th overall selection in the 2026 draft.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.