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White Sox Hold No. 1 Draft Spot, Emerson Leads Race

7/10/2026

33 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

White Sox Pick

The Chicago White Sox will pick No. 1 in the 2026 MLB draft Saturday during their game against Oakland Athletics.
Scouting VP Mike Shirley says club is weighing Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey and Grady Emerson.
MLB Pipeline gives Emerson a 51 % chance, Cholowsky 47 % and Lackey 2 % for the top pick.
Shirley says the pick will be based on the best player, not money, noting NIL deals kept Cholowsky in school.

Summary

White Sox Secure Draft

The Chicago White Sox finished 2025 with a 60-102 record and secured the No. 1 draft slot in the lottery.
It is the franchise’s third top pick, previously in 1971 and 1977.
Officials said they want to emulate Hall of Famer Harold Baines, not repeat the unsigned Danny Goodwin pick.
Analysts say the losing season, lottery win and two unnamed standout prospects could reshape the Sox’s future outlook.

History

Historical Context

In 1971 the Chicago White Sox used their first-overall pick on shortstop Danny Goodwin, who declined a contract to enroll in college and later re-entered the draft in 1975. The club has since failed to sign three first-round selections, a pattern the 2026 scouting chief Mike Shirley hopes to avoid as the team targets signable talent amid NIL incentives.

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White Sox Pick

The Chicago White Sox will pick No. 1 in the 2026 MLB draft Saturday during their game against Oakland Athletics.
Scouting VP Mike Shirley says club is weighing Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey and Grady Emerson.
MLB Pipeline gives Emerson a 51 % chance, Cholowsky 47 % and Lackey 2 % for the top pick.
Shirley says the pick will be based on the best player, not money, noting NIL deals kept Cholowsky in school.

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