2026 MLB Draft Thread...White Sox Control Draft/Roch the House

[DirtySox]

Roch was ranked the #42 prospect by BA coming out of high school. Scouting report at the time below.

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Commit/Drafted: UCLA
Age At Draft: 18.3
BA Grade:55/Extreme
Tools:Hit: 50. Power: 45. Run: 55. Field: 60. Arm: 55.

Cholowsky is a standout, multi-sport athlete who also plays football and basketball, and comes from an athletic family. His father, Dan, played eight years in the minor leagues and is also a scout for the Reds. A three-star quarterback prospect, Cholowsky is talented enough to play both football and baseball in college but he has first-round potential on the baseball field. Listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Cholowsky has solid hand-eye coordination and makes plenty of contact, but at times can be overly aggressive with his swing decisions. For now he’s more of a contact hitter than a power hitter, though he has the sort of lean, athletic frame that should only add more strength in the future. He did hit 11 home runs in 31 games with Hamilton High in his senior season. Cholowsky shines on the defensive side. He’s one of the most fluid and impressive shortstops in the class, with silky smooth actions and exceptional footwork. He glides around the infield dirt and is capable of making all the routine plays, and makes the difficult ones look easy and natural. He’s particularly adept at ranging up the middle to his glove side and throwing on the run and from multiple angles—perhaps in part thanks to his quarterbacking background. Cholowsky has above-average hands, above-average arm strength and above-average instincts that should give him plus defensive upside at a premium position. He’s turned in plus run times and projects to be at least an above-average runner in the future. Cholowsky is committed to UCLA but fits as a top-two round talent.

 

Edited Saturday at 05:41 PM by DirtySox

[southsider2k5]

55 minutes ago, SoxBlanco said:

How was Roch rated coming out of high school? I like guys who always seem to be highly regarded and then keep living up to the expectations. 

He was probably a first round pick, but he wanted to go to college 

[SoxBlanco]

Thanks for all the replies. This will be a very telling year for him with all the hype and expectations. 

[DirtySox]

@Y2Jimmy0 posted up his way too early mock with the first 3 picks for the Sox.

https://www.futuresox.net/2025/12/14/way-too-early-2026-mlb-mock-draft/

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1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Cholowsky is the consensus top player in the class right now as the 6-2, 195 pound shortstop was the best player in college baseball as a sophomore. The right-handed hitter is the son of a long time scout and he was a two sport standout while also playing quarterback for Hamilton High School in Arizona. Cholowsky might be the best college shortstop since Troy Tulowitzki and he posted a 1.190 OPS with 23 homers as a sophomore. He’s a plus defender with a plus arm and 70 raw power. This pick could be franchise altering for the White Sox.

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42. Chicago White Sox (2nd round): Brady Harris, OF, Trinity Christian HS (FL)
The White Sox take advantage of their significant bonus pool space and nab one of the most intriguing prep players in the class. Harris displays bat speed and power potential and could be a middle-of-the-order bat in the future. The Jacksonville prep has plus speed and a 70-grade arm. He’s not a lock to stay in center field but it’s an offensive profile that would work in a corner.

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79. Chicago White Sox (3rd round): Savion Sims, RHP, Prestonwood Christian HS (TX)
Sims will be 19-years-old on draft day but he’s the most electric arm in the high school class. The Oklahoma commit was a member of the White Sox’s Area Codes Team and the 6-8, 205 pound righty reaches 100 mph with his fastball. He displays big velocity with arm speed in a low effort delivery. The secondary pitches need work and the command must improve as well but this is a very high upside swing.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Where does Thome project to be drafted?

Edited 14 hours ago by Bob Sacamano

[DirtySox]

20 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Where does Thome project to be drafted?

He's ranked 61st overall in the class. Performance and asking price will play a large part of it, but I would hazard anywhere from the late 1st to 3rd round?