The Chicago White Sox selected Roch Cholowsky, the highly touted shortstop from UCLA, with the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB amateur draft. It was a decision that, while not entirely surprising, was not exactly 100% predicted. In most MLB drafts, there is usually a consensus number one overall pick, or at least a really good idea of what the team drafting first will do.
For their part, the White Sox did not reveal anything until they sent Cholowsky’s name to the powers that be in Major League Baseball to claim him as their first overall pick.
But while they kept their process leading up to draft a secret, they invited ESPN insider Jesse Rogers into their war room on draft day, and he has provided never before seen insight as to what kind of discussions are had on draft day.
Jesse Rogers reveals how the Chicago White Sox came to the decision to select Roch Cholowsky
Jul 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox number one draft pick Roch Cholowsky throws out a ceremonial first pitch at Rate Field before the teams game against the Athletics. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Fans from all over the world enjoy a variety of sports. In that vein, movies made about sports are very popular, including baseball flicks such as “Moneyball.”
But the thing about Hollywood is that so much of what goes into movies like that is dramatized for effect. Very rarely are fans treated to what really goes on in front offices and behind the scenes for their favorite teams.
But Rogers got to see exactly what went into Chicago selecting Cholowsky. His account of the discussions that went into it is quite fascinating.
After much discussion, Chris Getz and his crew settled on Cholowsky as their pick. And they feel good about it.
“You make a decision and you go with it,” Getz said to Rogers. “You don’t look back. You just f—ing make it happen. And that’s what we do. That’s what we’ve done. And that’s the White Sox. That’s what we do.”
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