MLB Draft 2026: Will White Sox Take Roch Cholowsky No. 1 as Grady Emerson, Derek Curiel Push Up Draft Boards?

The 2026 MLB Draft picture sharpened on December 9 after the lottery awarded the Chicago White Sox the first overall pick, placing UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky as the early favorite to go No. 1. The standout infielder enters the cycle as the top college prospect after a dominant season marked by power, speed, and elite defensive tools.

The new draft order also elevated the national spotlight on high-end talents such as Grady Emerson and Derek Curiel, who headline a deep class of shortstops and outfielders. With eight months remaining until selections in July, front offices have begun evaluating the balance between polished college stars and rapidly ascending prep players.

Top Prospects Shape Early MLB Draft 2026 Outlook

Roch Cholowsky leads the projections after a breakout year at UCLA, where he hit 23 home runs and posted a 1.190 OPS. Scouts praise his 6-foot-2 frame, advanced timing, and Gold Glove-level defense. USA TODAY reported that even teams with established shortstops view Cholowsky as a plug-and-play option capable of accelerating through a farm system.

Grady Emerson follows closely as the top high-school player available. The Texas commit impressed with Team USA, batting .346 and earning All-World honors. His bat speed, infield actions, and versatility make him one of the most projectable prep hitters in the class.

Derek Curiel enters the conversation as one of the best pure hitters in college baseball. The LSU outfielder hit .390 during the Tigers’ College World Series championship run and is expected to move to center field this season, a shift that could raise his draft position.

The class also features Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron, a power bat who recorded 18 home runs and led the SEC in RBIs, and Pirates-linked prep standout Tyler Spangler, a left-handed hitter with top-tier athleticism. Additional rising names include Jacob Lombard, Jackson Flora, Sawyer Strosnider, Cameron Flukey, and AJ Gracia, all of whom shape an unusually deep first-round landscape.

How the White Sox Fit Into the Early Draft Picture

Chicago enters the 2026 cycle searching for long-term cornerstone talent after earning the No. 1 pick. While shortstop Colson Montgomery delivered 21 home runs in 71 games, the organization is still positioned to select the best overall player rather than drafting for need. Cholowsky currently fits that profile more convincingly than any other prospect.

League evaluators expect the White Sox to conduct detailed evaluations through spring and early summer, but early indicators point toward limited competition for Cholowsky at the top of the board. Emerson or Curiel would need exceptional seasons to close the gap, though both remain strong top-five candidates.

The broader 2026 class differs from last year’s draft, which leaned heavily toward younger prospects and saw Washington select 17-year-old Eli Willits at No. 1. This year’s field features more established collegiate hitters with extensive data and performance history, giving teams more stability at the top.

The coming months will refine player rankings, but Cholowsky, Emerson, and Curiel have established an early tier of elite options that shape the direction of the 2026 MLB Draft.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is projected to go No. 1 in the 2026 MLB Draft?

Roch Cholowsky is the early favorite after a dominant season at UCLA and strong scouting grades. He leads most early rankings.

Q2: How strong is the 2026 MLB Draft class?

The class is considered deep, especially among shortstops and outfielders. It also features several power hitters and emerging college pitchers.

Q3: Can a high-school player challenge for the top pick?

Grady Emerson is the most likely prep player to rise, but he would need a standout spring to surpass Cholowsky.

Q4: Which teams pick early in the 2026 MLB Draft?

The White Sox hold the No. 1 pick, followed by the Rays, Twins, Giants, and Pirates based on the December 9 lottery results.

Q5: When is the 2026 MLB Draft?

The draft will take place in July 2026. Exact dates will be finalized later by the league.