White Sox Should Avoid Playing It Safe With No. 1 Pick In 2026 MLB Draft
The Chicago White Sox have a chance to add another true difference-maker with the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
The first round of the 2026 MLB Draft begins on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, and the White Sox have the first overall pick. Although in most drafts like the NFL, NHL, and NBA, the best player is taken first overall, that isn't the case in the MLB Draft.
Instead, each MLB team has a certain amount of money they can spend on their draft picks, and they can either go above or below the slot value of that pick. But, with players being able to be picked out of high school and college, the high schoolers have leverage, as if they don't like the money they are offered, they can go to college, meaning it's a waste of a pick and a risk for MLB teams.
And, we have seen in years past, high schoolers tell certain teams that if they draft them, they won't sign, so it's a waste of a pick. So, before the MLB Draft even begins, teams at the top of the draft are already negotiating with players to see if they will sign with them or what their price is.
Although the White Sox have the first overall pick, it doesn't mean they will take the top prospect. However, this draft is intriguing as there is no clear-cut No. 1, as UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowksy, high school shortstop Grady Emerson, and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey all have a case to be the top pick.
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Although many analysts have linked the White Sox to Cholowsky because he's the closest to the MLB and has the highest floor, Chicago needs to swing for the fences and take Emerson.
Taking a high school bat comes with a risk, as you don't truly know how they will develop, as they still have growing to do. Yet, Emerson has a much higher ceiling than Cholowsky, and the White Sox need to develop all the talent they can, as they haven't been a true destination for players in free agency.
The Athletic's MLB analyst and former MLB GM Jim Bowden, believes Emerson has the higher upside. The analyst gave his scouting grades on the traditional 20-80 scale
"Grady Emerson: HIT: 70 PWR: 55 RUN: 55 ARM: 60 FLD: 60. Roch Cholowsky: HIT: 60 PWR: 60 RUN: 50 ARM: 60 FLD: 65," Bowden wrote.
The biggest difference is the hit tool, which is why the White Sox should take the risk and select Emerson on Saturday. As well, Emerson is only 18, while Cholowsky is 21, so Emerson has three more years to develop more and become even better.
Ultimately, the White Sox need to select the player with the best hit tool and the highest upside, which is Emerson.
White Sox Not Tipping Hand on 1st Overall Pick
Although the MLB Draft is just a day away, the White Sox aren't tipping their hand on who they will take first overall.
White Sox vice president of amateur scouting Mike Shirley spoke to the media earlier this week, and said it's still open on who they will take.
"It's still a bit of an open book, but I think we all know who the candidates are here, and we're working extremely hard," Shirley said Wednesday. "The Cholowsky/Emerson conversation, the Vahn Lackey conversation, these are real. They are happening. They're happening up to the minute."
Shirley, meanwhile, said it's also not about their talent right now, but how they project to be in 3-5 years from now. And, he claims the White Sox aren't even considering the money and who could cost more.
"It's not about the major league team. It's not about the money," Shirley said. "It's about who is the best player."
If the money is out of the question and it's about selecting the best player, Emerson has to be the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 5:05 PM.