Every few days, Chicago White Sox fans seem to be treated to another highlight from UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky.
The electrifying college star has quickly become the favorite to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, and his latest performance only added fuel to the excitement.
Cholowsky continued his incredible start to the season Tuesday night by blasting his ninth home run of the spring against UC Irvine, pushing his already eye-popping OPS to 1.349.
As soon as the ball left the yard, social media erupted with White Sox fans imagining what the UCLA star might look like in a South Side uniform.
A complete shortstop prospect
Cholowsky has become one of the most talked-about players in amateur baseball thanks to a rare blend of tools.
Scouts rave about his combination of:
- Power at the plate
- Consistent contact ability
- Elite defensive instincts at shortstop
Some evaluators have even gone as far as comparing him to Troy Tulowitzki, calling Cholowsky the best college shortstop prospect since the former All-Star.
That kind of praise has made him the clear front-runner for the first overall selection in July’s draft.
White Sox fans already envision the future
When the White Sox won the No. 1 pick in December’s draft lottery, fans quickly began dreaming about Cholowsky becoming the organization’s next franchise cornerstone.
While Chicago’s front office still has months to evaluate the class, many believe Cholowsky is the most natural fit for the team.
His latest home run only intensified the excitement online, with White Sox fans flooding social media with reactions celebrating the possibility of adding him to the organization.
Other prospects still in the mix
Although Cholowsky appears to be the favorite, the White Sox are expected to conduct thorough evaluations before making their final decision.
Several other prospects remain in the conversation.
Justin Lebron (Alabama) offers arguably the best raw power in the draft class. If his overall hitting ability continues to improve, he could challenge for the top spot.
Meanwhile, Grady Emerson, a highly regarded high school shortstop from Texas, may possess the highest long-term upside among prep players.
However, Chicago selected a high school shortstop in last year’s draft, which could make a college player like Cholowsky — who may reach the majors sooner — more appealing.
Cholowsky taking his game to another level
Even though Cholowsky was already viewed as a top prospect entering the season, his 2026 performance has elevated expectations even further.
He finished the 2025 college season with 23 home runs and a 1.190 OPS.
Now, just a few weeks into the new season, he’s on pace to surpass those numbers significantly. With nine home runs already and an OPS approaching 1.350, Cholowsky appears to have taken another major step forward offensively.
Still months until the draft
Of course, the 2026 MLB Draft is still four months away, meaning plenty could change before July.
College performances fluctuate, injuries can alter evaluations, and other prospects could surge late in the season.
But at this point, Roch Cholowsky looks every bit like the top player in the draft class.
For White Sox fans eager to see the next potential star arrive in Chicago, the message is clear: keep watching UCLA baseball this spring — the future of the franchise might be playing there right now.
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