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The 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft is right around the corner, and with the White Sox holding the No. 1 overall pick, there’s no better time to break down how the draft works and explore the players who could soon be joining Chicago’s farm system.
After winning the MLB Draft Lottery this past offseason, the South Siders are in an ideal position to strengthen their organization with elite talent. Although the decision at No. 1 has become far more complicated than many initially expected, Chicago is poised to add a potential franchise cornerstone while maintaining enough bonus pool flexibility to assemble a strong draft class from top to bottom.
When is the draft?
The 2026 MLB Draft will take place during All-Star Weekend, beginning on Saturday, July 11, with coverage starting at 12:00 p.m. CT. Last year, MLB shortened the draft from three days to two, and this year, it has adjusted the schedule even further by extending the first day.
Day 1 will now feature the first 132 selections, covering Rounds 1-4 along with Competitive Balance Rounds A and B. NBC and Peacock will exclusively broadcast the draft until 1:30 p.m. CT, after which coverage will shift to MLB Network. Fans can also stream the draft on Peacock and MLB.com at this point.
Day 2 then begins with pick No. 133, the first selection of Round 5. Coverage starts at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, July 12, and will stream exclusively on MLB.com.
How much is the White Sox’s bonus pool?
This year, the White Sox have a draft bonus pool of $17,592,100. That figure is determined by the assigned slot values for each of the club’s selections in the first 10 rounds. Collectively, those slot values make up the team’s bonus pool, meaning the total amount the organization is permitted to spend on signing those picks.
There are a few important rules that come with the bonus pool system. First, teams may exceed their allotted pool by up to 5%, but doing so results in a 75% tax on the overage. Exceeding that threshold triggers more severe penalties, including the forfeiture of future draft picks.
Second, players selected in Rounds 11–20 can sign for up to $150,000 without it counting against the bonus pool. Any amount above that threshold will then count. However, teams cannot “save” pool money by signing those players for under $150,000, as anything below that figure does not provide additional cap flexibility.
White Sox top 10 draft picks with slot values:
Round 1 (No. 1): $11,350,600
Round 2 (No. 41): $2,446,100
Round 3 (No. 77): $1,086,600
Round 4 (No. 105): $747,700
Round 5 (No. 137): $547,700
Round 6 (No. 166): $413,900
Round 7 (No. 195): $325,100
Round 8 (No. 225): $256,500
Round 9 (No. 255): $217,000
Round 10 (No. 285): $200,900
Breaking down the options at No. 1
Roch Cholowsky, SS | UCLA
When the White Sox won the draft lottery in the offseason, Cholowsky was the overwhelming favorite to be their selection at No. 1 overall. While most still believe he will be the selection, the gap at the top of the draft has become much tighter.
At the end of last season, Cholowsky was widely regarded as the best player in college baseball. While his production dipped slightly in 2026, he remains a phenomenal player with a chance to own four-plus tools at the professional level.
He has excellent bat-to-ball skills that pair well with advanced plate discipline and pitch recognition. Cholowsky showcases plus power, especially to his pull side. Defensively, he has also been an elite at the shortstop position despite his average athleticism.
Overall, Cholowsky offers one of the highest floors of any prospect in this draft, while still providing perennial All-Star upside if everything clicks at the Major League level.
Grady Emerson, SS | Fort Worth Christian (TX)
Emerson has quickly closed the gap with Cholowsky and put himself firmly in the mix at the top. While he may not possess as many tools as Bobby Witt Jr. did coming out of the 2019 draft, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint any real flaws in his game.
The left-handed hitting prep shortstop has arguably the best hit tool in this class, while showcasing excellent actions at short. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he has plenty of range and gets the job done on the basepaths.
The one big question with him is whether he will develop more than just average power as he matures. He has plenty of bat speed and can generate good exit velocities, but only projects to be a 15-20 home run hitter right now.
Vahn Lackey, C | Georgia Tech
Lackey enjoyed an impressive breakout season at Georgia Tech and has been mentioned by many outlets as a prospect who has forced his way into the first overall conversation. While he is widely viewed as the least likely selection, he has undoubtedly been on the Sox’s radar.
The Yellow Jacket entered the season regarded as a first-round caliber player, largely due to his defensive ability, athleticism, and a solid offensive foundation. This year, however, his bat has taken a significant step forward, as he’s hit just under .400 while also showing impressive power.
The primary concern with Lackey is his developmental timeline. As a late bloomer, he has not yet sustained this level of offensive production over multiple seasons. Given that catchers already carry inherent draft risk, his limited track record at the plate places him slightly behind other top options in the class.
The Field
Some other names have been mentioned as prospects the Sox like, although it would be a big surprise if they actually select any of them. The two who have been mentioned the most are Jacob Lombard, a prep shortstop out of Florida, and Jackson Flora, ace of the UC Santa Barbara pitching staff and best arm in the draft. Both players are near locks to be selected within the top, but are still viewed as long shots the closer you get to the top.
Possible targets after Round 1
Landon Thome, INF | Nazareth Academy (IL)
Thome has been an extremely popular name in connection to the White Sox, as he is the son of Hall of Famer and current member of the front office Jim Thome. He is also the former teammate of 2025 second-round pick Jaden Fauske.
Named Gatorade’s Illinois Prep Player of the Year, Landon is an excellent hitter who has a chance to bat for both average and power. He was primarily a shortstop in high school, but is likely to move off the position in professional ball.
The local product has a chance to sneak into the first round, but will undoubtedly be an option for the Sox at 41.
Brody Bumilla, LHP | Bishop Feehan (MA)
Bumilla screams, “White Sox type.” A 6-foot-9 left-hander, he is an imposing presence on the mound who can reach triple digits with his fastball. While his secondary pitches remain a work in progress, he has shown encouraging feel for a changeup and continues to refine his slider.
Widely projected as a first-round lock, Bumilla could still be a potential target later in the draft, given Chicago’s bonus pool flexibility. The White Sox could attempt to lure him down to pick No. 41 with an aggressive over-slot offer.
Logan Reddemann, RHP | UCLA
With the time the White Sox have spent scouting UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, they’ve likely seen plenty of ace right-hander Logan Redmann. Redmann began his college career at the University of San Diego before transferring to UCLA, where he broke out in a major way.
His fastball has jumped from the low 90s to sitting in the mid-90s and touching 99 mph, and he complements it with a full mix of average-or-better secondary offerings. Redmann has always shown an advanced feel for his arsenal, but the improved stuff has translated into a significant jump in strikeouts while still limiting walks.
He was tracking toward solidifying himself as a first-round prospect before being shut down in April due to arm fatigue.
Joseph Contreras, RHP | Blessed Trinity (GA)
Another prospect with a clear White Sox connection, Joseph Contreras is the son of former right-hander and 2005 World Series Champion Jose Contreras.
Like his father, Joseph utilizes a forkball at the center of his pitching arsenal, and sits in the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball. The 6-foot-4 righty impressed scouts while pitching for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic, and while he is currently committed to Vanderbilt, he will have plenty of teams looking to entice him to go pro instead.
Dominic Santarelli, 1B | St. Joseph (WI)
A member of the Sox Area Code team, Santarelli has some of the most prolific raw power in this year’s draft class.
Growing up just across the border in Kenosha, WI, he was named Gatorade’s 2026 Wisconsin High School Player of the Year. While the lack of defensive value hurts his stock, he might have legitimate 80-grade raw power and could be lured out of his LSU commitment.
Chris Rembert, INF | Auburn
The White Sox have seen a promising start to Colby Shelton‘s pro career after selecting him out of the SEC in 2025, and may once again look to that conference for another infielder.
Rembert is a plus-hitter who has an advanced approach at the plate and manages the strike zone well. The power is just average, although he has impressive bat speed and could hit the ball over the fence more often with some swing adjustments. His defense has improved, but it is still fringy for a second baseman.
For all of your White Sox draft coverage, be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th and @PipelineTo35th for updates as the picks are announced!
Featured Image: UCLA Baseball/X
