White Sox expected to make $10 million-plus Roch Cholowsky decision after draft pick

White Sox expected to make $10 million-plus Roch Cholowsky decision after draft pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago White Sox have the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, and with that top pick, there's been plenty of intrigue about what the team will do.

There's been buzz about a non-traditional selection, but at the end of the day, the White Sox made a selection that isn't a total surprise.

According to Joe Doyle of Over Slot, the White Sox are selecting UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowky No. 1 overall, and making a huge $10 million-plus contract decision after the pick.

White Sox expected to make $10M+ contract decision on Roch Cholowsky

"The Chicago White Sox are selecting UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft," Doyle reports.

Initially, he reported the contract would be expected to be around $9.5 million, but in a correction to his previous report, Cholowsky is now getting a contract north of $10 million, according to Doyle.

The 21-year-old out of UCLA had an incredible season this past year. In 60 games, across 231 at-bats, Cholowosky had 74 hits, 73 runs scored, 10 doubles, 21 home runs, 60 RBIs, one stolen base, 36 walks, 36 strikeouts, and a .320 average with a 1.088 OPS.

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Cholowsky also was hit by a pitch 25 times this past season, along with 21 HBP the previous season at UCLA, where he posted a 1.190 OPS and 23 homers with 74 RBIs in 66 games and 252 at-bats.

The right-handed infielder and son of former minor leaguer Dan Cholowsky is coming to Chicago, and likely on a deal north of $10 million after being taken No. 1 overall during the 2026 MLB Draft.

The White Sox's next pick comes as No. 34 overall, with No. 41 overall shortly thereafter as their third pick of the draft following a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 34th pick on Friday night.

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