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White Sox Could Take Jackson Flora No.1, Save $6.3M

7/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Chicago White Sox could take right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB draft.
Flora threw 102 innings for UC Santa Barbara, recorded a 1.06 ERA and 133 strikeouts while touching 100 mph.
Choosing Flora below the $11,350,600 slot would save $6,350,600 for other first-round prospects.
Top prospect shortstop Caleb Cholowsky posted a .329/.448/.624 line with 52 home runs, 105 walks and 100 strikeouts at UCLA.

History

Historical Context

When the Houston Astros selected Floyd Bannister first overall in the 1976 MLB draft, they gave him a $100,000 signing bonus and signaled a new willingness to invest heavily in pitchers. Bannister’s subsequent All-Star season and league-leading 209 strikeouts validated that approach. Today the Chicago White Sox are weighing a similar gamble on UC Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora.

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Story summary

The Chicago White Sox could take right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB draft.
Flora threw 102 innings for UC Santa Barbara, recorded a 1.06 ERA and 133 strikeouts while touching 100 mph.
Choosing Flora below the $11,350,600 slot would save $6,350,600 for other first-round prospects.
Top prospect shortstop Caleb Cholowsky posted a .329/.448/.624 line with 52 home runs, 105 walks and 100 strikeouts at UCLA.

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