From Kiley's final draft rankings. Sharing the top 3 guys that are in the mix for the Sox. He also goes into what could go wrong with these players. I also found it interesting that these 3 and Flora (49) are the only players that would crack his top 100 MLB prospects list.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49297819/2026-mlb-draft-rankings-top-250-prospects-roch-cholowsky-grady-emerson-vahn-lackey

55 FV tier

1. Roch Cholowsky (age: 21.3), SS, UCLA

Tools: Hit: 55, Power: 55, Run: 45, Field: 55, Arm: 60

Where he ranks in an MLB top-100 prospects list: 19

If it doesn't work out, what's happening? His bat speed and foot speed are one notch worse than expected, and he's a solid starter but not a standout.

To be clear, I flipped these three players a number of times down the stretch and even polled scouts and got every possible order. Think of these reports as a choose-your-own-adventure to learn which of these players you prefer because the sharpest minds in baseball cannot agree on this.

Cholowsky was prospect for the top two rounds in the 2023 draft out of an Arizona high school as a sure-handed, hit-first prospect with questionable overall impact. He hit .329 with 52 home runs and a 1.072 OPS over three years in Westwood and now could become the top pick in the draft.

The hesitation by some is the lack of explosive upside and elite physical traits some expect at the No. 1 pick. Cholowsky has plus raw power but it plays more like a 55, at a 20-25 homer upside with a solid average, and he is a reliable defender. A very talented player, sure, and likely quick to the big leagues, but will he post a 5-WAR season? He could if it all clicks, but there isn't Bobby Witt Jr.-type upside here.

2. Grady Emerson (18.4), SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX), Texas commit

Tools: Hit: 60, Power: 55, Run: 50, Field: 50, Arm: 60

Where he ranks in an MLB top-100 prospects list: 24

If it doesn't work out, what's happening? The in-game power didn't show up and he's a better fit at third base than shortstop.

Emerson has been tagged as the top high school player in this class for at least two, if not three, years. The track record of that sort of prospect is already quite good, but when it's a left-handed-hitting shortstop with standout tools and performance, that adds up to a top-of-the-draft talent.

You can see the tool grades above: Emerson might be above average to plus at everything on a baseball field. I almost put him first, and a number of scouts have him there on their board. For teams that don't, they sometimes have him third or even fourth in the class because they aren't positive he's a long-term shortstop and they think his in-game power will play closer to average.

The bullish scouts point out that Emerson does things so easily that it makes his tools look a bit short compared with other top-of-the-draft talents. Similar to Cholowsky, the only complaint here is a lack of elite tools like the faces of the sport have, but there are plenty of perennial All-Stars who don't light up Statcast leaderboards.

3. Vahn Lackey (21.0), C, Georgia Tech

Tools: Hit: 55, Power: 55, Run: 55, Field: 55, Arm: 60

Where he ranks in an MLB top-100 prospects list: 25

If it doesn't work out, what's happening? The wear and tear of catching chips away at durability and raw tools to limit his impact.

I had to reach a bit for the "if it doesn't workout section," because Lackey is exceptionally well-rounded. He's above average at everything on the field as a catcher, posting absurd numbers this spring: a nearly 1.300 OPS with 20 homers and more walks than strikeouts after entering the season outside of the top 15-20 prospects in the draft.

The only nitpicks are that his swing plane is a little flatter than the best power hitters and he hits too many pulled ground balls. That and the right-handed hitting catcher demographic, while playing a valuable position, is one of the riskier positions because of the physical demands and often nonlinear development due to those rigors.

You can make a compelling case that Lackey is the top prospect in the draft because of positional value and performance while you can easily argue he's third because of the catcher demographic and shorter track record of success. The margins are so tight you can justify any conclusion. I do not envy the White Sox making this choice.

Edited Wednesday at 06:16 PM1 day by DirtySox

Wonderful FutureSox podcast with Joe Doyle on the draft. Great listen.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2026-mlb-draft-preview-with-joe-doyle/id850054474?i=1000775914484

Seems like Joe is a little lighter on Thome then others. Doesn't sound like he would use 41 on him. They talk Dylan Bowen who might have a high number. 3 million was mentioned. Also fully agree with @Y2Jimmy0 on not using high picks outside of the first round on college position players. No more McClain/Lodise/Saucke please.

From Joe Doyle's draft intel piece today. Posting some but not all of it.

Rumors coming out of the Southside continue to top the headlines. Over the last few weeks, reiterated over the last 48 hours, I've continued to hear that a majority contingent of the White Sox war room seems to prefer high school shortstop Grady Emerson at the top of the Draft. That's not to say he'll be the pick. It remains to be seen what ownership's opinion on the selection is. And what is Chris Getz's timeline? How does the team feel about Colson Montgomery as their long-term fixture at shortstop? What do signing bonus demands look like for Emerson and UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky? They're represented by the same agency (The-Team), so I'd reckon their representation is working hard to ensure the largest signing bonus combination the two can net them at picks 1 and 2. What does being the No. 1 overall pick mean to either player? Would one take a dramatic haircut with the understanding the other would get a bigger deal at pick 2? Holding the No. 1 pick in a draft has many levers and even more variables to consider. Especially when the two or three options at the top are so closely graded from a talent perspective. The White Sox are going to leave the 2026 Draft with a boat load of talent -- precisely which player will be heading that ship is far from settled.

Behind the White Sox, I've also continued to hear Cholowsky is not the Rays' top target with the second pick. Even if Emerson is their priority, it's no certainty Cholowsky or even Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey would be the next name called on draft night.

Nazareth infielder Landon Thome has been a very popular name in war rooms, and not just in Chicago. He's got a lot of teams calling from the back of the first round to the meat of the second. He's unlikely to last long in this draft, and he falling to the White Sox at 41 shouldn't be a foregone conclusion. If he is gone at pick 41, fellow Midwest outfielder Dominic Santarelli is a popular name in Chicago's draft room.

This is the second time Santarelli has been mentioned by Doyle and the White Sox which I find surprising. The power is stupid good, but corner prep bats really aren't the White Sox type.

Edited Wednesday at 07:14 PM1 day by DirtySox

Forgot this tidbit. God I want it.

Pittsburgh has been floating pick No. 34 in trade talks leading up to the Draft, aiming to land a bullpen piece that can help them now. It's an organization seemingly pushing their chips in for 2026 and 2027. If they're willing to trade pick 34 for a win-now move, selecting a college bat at pick 5 should follow suit.

19 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Forgot this tidbit. God I want it.

Seranthony Dominguez, get ready to learn Pittsburgh buddy.

24 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Wonderful FutureSox podcast with Joe Doyle on the draft. Great listen.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2026-mlb-draft-preview-with-joe-doyle/id850054474?i=1000775914484

Seems like Joe is a little lighter on Thome then others. Doesn't sound like he would use 41 on him. They talk Dylan Bowen who might have a high number. 3 million was mentioned. Also fully agree with @Y2Jimmy0 on not using high picks outside of the first round on college position players. No more McClain/Lodise/Saucke please.

Thanks man. Joe is always great. We have another episode coming tomorrow with guests for Rays, Twins, Giants and Pirates.

19 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

From Joe Doyle's draft intel piece today. Posting some but not all of it.

This is the second time Santarelli has been mentioned by Doyle and the White Sox which I find surprising. The power is stupid good, but corner prep bats really aren't the White Sox type.

I'm sure they love Santarelli. He's one of their Area Codes guys and he's from the midwest. I haven't targeted him though because he's a corner type and Getz hasn't targeted that.

15 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Forgot this tidbit. God I want it.

I'd love that pick haha.

1 hour ago, DirtySox said:

From Kiley's final draft rankings. Sharing the top 3 guys that are in the mix for the Sox. He also goes into what could go wrong with these players. I also found it interesting that these 3 and Flora (49) are the only players that would crack his top 100 MLB prospects list.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49297819/2026-mlb-draft-rankings-top-250-prospects-roch-cholowsky-grady-emerson-vahn-lackey

Lackey and Emerson having the same Power grade is interesting. I also think a 55 glove for Lackey is light. Baseball is moving towards an automated zone so arm, pop time and mobility behind the plate become the metrics that matter most as controlling the run game shoots up the priority list and his pop time is 1.85 seconds. I think the arm is also light. I had read somewhere earlier this year he'd been clocked at 95mph out of the pop.

Edited Wednesday at 07:37 PM1 day by Look at Ray Ray Run

23 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Lackey and Emerson having the same Power grade is a... choice. I also think a 55 glove for Lackey is light. Baseball is moving towards an automated zone so arm, pop time and mobility behind the plate become the metrics that matter most as controlling the run game shoots up the priority list and his pop time is 1.85 seconds. I think the arm is also light. I had read somewhere earlier this year he'd been clocked at 95mph out of the pop.

I do agree with this. Lackey will be an elite defender.

29 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Who we thinking this might be? I’m throwing out Carson Bolemon. Think he’s the type of buy low arm the Sox would like.

43 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Hummmmmmm

16 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Who we thinking this might be? I’m throwing out Carson Bolemon. Think he’s the type of buy low arm the Sox would like.

Broseph Bontreras.

31 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Who we thinking this might be? I’m throwing out Carson Bolemon. Think he’s the type of buy low arm the Sox would like.

Slightom is the guess. Local guy who has crazy helium. Might go top 30.

Edited Wednesday at 11:54 PM1 day by DirtySox

Slightom is my guess.

14 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Who we thinking this might be? I’m throwing out Carson Bolemon. Think he’s the type of buy low arm the Sox would like.

Jack Slightom.

21 hours ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

Seranthony Dominguez, get ready to learn Pittsburgh buddy.

keep him away from my current city and ballpark please 😄. I don't want my casual PNC park drop-ins to have Seranthony PTSD!

Morning draft sickos. Just about 24 hours until the draft. Law's final mock. Still has them on Emerson.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7435150/2026/07/10/mlb-draft-final-mock-draft-grady-emerson-vahn-lackey-roch-cholowsky/

1.) White Sox - Grady Emerson

School: Fort Worth Christian (North Richland Hills, Texas), Bats: L, Throws: R

By all accounts, the White Sox have still narrowed down their pick to Emerson, Roch Cholowsky and Vahn Lackey. All are good choices and none is likely to come at much of a discount. The only shift I’ve heard this week is that the White Sox were “more engaged” with Cholowsky, whatever that means. It is entirely possible that they’ve wanted him all along and are creating the illusion of competition to negotiate a better bonus deal with him. Or maybe they just like Emerson more.

2.) Rays - Vahn Lackey

School: Georgia Tech, Bats: R, Throws: R

I’ve heard the guy the Rays really want is Grady Emerson, and that they would likely take Lackey over Roch Cholowsky. Rumors of them cutting a deal with someone else have kind of died off in the last week.

3.) Twins - Roch Cholowsky

School: UCLA, Bats: R, Throws: R

I continue to hear the Twins will take Cholowsky if he’s there, and probably would take Vahn Lackey, but I’m not certain about Grady Emerson — in a situation where Lackey and Cholowsky are off the board, they may take Drew Burress or Jackson Flora.

4.) Giants - Jacob Lombard

School: Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest, Fla.), Bats: R, Throws: R

I'm still hearing the Giants want Grady Emerson or Roch Cholowsky but don’t expect to get either. In that case, it’s likely Lombard or Eric Booth Jr. over Jackson Flora, although I heard on Thursday that Flora is still a possibility here.

5.) Pirates - Jackson Flora

School: UC Santa Barbara, Bats: R, Throws: R

I can’t see any of the Big 3 falling here, which would probably put the Pirates’ decision set as Flora, Eric Booth Jr. and one of the college bats like Burress. I don’t believe they’re in on Jacob Lombard or Justin Lebron.

6.) Royals - Drew Burress

School: Georgia Tech, Bats: R, Throws: R

Here’s where it gets weird — the Royals could go high school bat, as suddenly the word is K.C. is on college bats here, again trying to do a deal and maybe go over slot at pick 30. I’d previously heard them with USC left-hander Mason Edwards at a discount, and of course Brian Bridges’ history as scouting director is that he likes high-upside players like Eric Booth Jr. or Jacob Lombard. Burress or Tyler Bell would be the top college bat remaining in this scenario.

7.) Orioles - Eric Booth Jr.

School: Oak Grove HS (Hattiesburg, Miss.), Bats: L, Throws: L

Word is the Orioles want Booth, might take Drew Burress, have no realistic hope of getting Jackson Flora, and have a mixed camp on Jacob Lombard (who supposedly had a great workout in front of their execs). Derek Curiel is the best of the next group of college hitters.

8.) Athletics - Ryder Helfrick

School: Arkansas, Bats: R, Throws: R

I think the A’s would love Drew Burress and the only arm they’d consider is probably Jackson Flora. If everything falls apart, they could just do an under-slot deal with a college bat here.

9.) Braves - Gio Rojas

School: Stoneman Douglas HS (Parkland, Fla.), Bats: R, Throws: L

I’ve said in the last two mocks Atlanta supposedly wants Drew Burress, and I do think they’re the high-water mark for Rojas. With Burress increasingly likely to be gone at No. 9, they’re getting linked to some wildly different players, including Jacob Lombard, who could also end up in the 11-15 range if he doesn't go at No. 4 to the Giants.

10.) Rockies - Derek Curiel

School: LSU, Bats: L, Throws: L

The Rockies’ potential pool of players is pretty open here but most likely a college player, hitter or pitcher. They’re not on Gio Rojas. I’ve heard Chris Hacopian may get into the top 10, but I think that would only be here or maybe Atlanta. I also think they’re on prep infielder Connor Comeau for one of their picks at 37/38.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by DirtySox

We are about 28 hours away from the MLB draft. I know there has been a lot of chatter about the Sox still deciding who they are taking, including from Shirley himself. Candidly, that’s a bunch of BS. The Sox clearly having a guy they want to select by this point based on talent alone. However, financials do come into play and it sounds like those discussions don’t really amp up until the last 24 to 72 hours, even for the top pick of the entire draft.

Based on what has leaked publicly, I remain confident that Roch is the guy they want to take. The Emerson talk feels very intentional to me. I believe the Sox want it out there that their scouts prefer the HS kid to help create leverage with Cholowsky. Honestly, as talented as Emerson is, he’s not on the caliber of Witt & Holiday and I struggle seeing the Sox give him say a $9.5M signing bonus that would blow the HS record out of the water ($8.2M last year from Willits). Maybe this all changes if he’s willing to take a massive discount, but if the money is remotely close I don’t see how you don’t just take the college kid.

With just one day left to go, my guess is the 1.01 should likely be locked down and the Sox are working on the rest of their day 1 strategy. Even if the Sox go with a $10M signing bonus at the 1.01, they’d have close to $2.3M to spend on overslot deals. That being said, I think their goal is to get that first pick closer to $9.5M, which would still be an all time record. Throw in another $0.4M by going with seniors in the 9th & 10th rounds and suddenly you have $3.2M to work with. That would effectively allow you to sign three guys for $2.5M (40th overall slot value) in rounds 2 to 4.

It’s critical we come out of tomorrow with a haul of high upside talent. While the 1st pick is obviously most important, I’m more intrigued to see what Shirley does with the rest of his picks and excess funds. Does he ultimately land three or four overslot preps to serve as a future wave? Does he try to snag a talented college arm in the 2nd who can quickly help the big league club? How pitching heavy will he go after our excess pool has been used up.

It’s going to be an exciting couple of days for sure.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Chicago White Sox

Kiley’s final mock released this morning. He has the Sox taking Cholowsky, but said he doesn’t feel good about it. Here’s the quote from the article:

My current read is that, as people believed early in the spring, Cholowsky and Grady Emerson are running close at the top, with Lackey closing in. But Lackey's late start playing competitive baseball and his positional challenge of being a catcher will keep him just behind the first two. I think the tiebreaker has and will continue to be proximity/risk that leans to Cholowsky over Emerson.

I don't get the impression that bonus prices have been discussed as of Thursday for any of these top picks, so that's why this isn't settled and likely won't be until a few hours before the draft, if that.

Also, Kiley’s final mock is a two rounder. In the 2nd, he has the Sox taking HS OF Dominic Santarelli. Meanwhile, HS RHP Jack Slightom goes 15 picks later. Baseball America brought up Jack in their “what we’re hearing heading into the weekend” article this morning and said he essentially has the most amount of helium and could go in the top 40. Based on what the draft experts here have highlighted and Shirley’s comment about really liking a HS arm, it feels like he’s legit option for us at the #41.

Landon Thome not mocked to go in the first two rounds, but Kiley did include in a list of guys who either get their bonus demands met in the 3rd or 4th round or go to college. He did say that Thome was a target for the White Sox with a later pick. I feel very confident he ends up a White Sox pick in one of those two spots.

Joseph Contreras also not mocked to go in the first two rounds and referred to as a tough HS signing due to his Vanderbilt commit. Is he another guy the Sox could potentially scoop up in the 3rd or 4th given his dad’s role in the org? I’m normally against nepo picks, but him and Landon are legitimate talents and may come at a reasonable price relative to similar HS picks.

How would people feel if our first four picks went Roch, Slightom, Thome, & Contreras?

15 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Also, Kiley’s final mock is a two rounder. In the 2nd, he has the Sox taking HS OF Dominic Santarelli. Meanwhile, HS RHP Jack Slightom goes 15 picks later. Baseball America brought up Jack in their “what we’re hearing heading into the weekend” article this morning and said he essentially has the most amount of helium and could go in the top 40. Based on what the draft experts here have highlighted and Shirley’s comment about really liking a HS arm, it feels like he’s legit option for us at the #41.

Landon Thome not mocked to go in the first two rounds, but Kiley did include in a list of guys who either get their bonus demands met in the 3rd or 4th round or go to college. He did say that Thome was a target for the White Sox with a later pick. I feel very confident he ends up a White Sox pick in one of those two spots.

Joseph Contreras also not mocked to go in the first two rounds and referred to as a tough HS signing due to his Vanderbilt commit. Is he another guy the Sox could potentially scoop up in the 3rd or 4th given his dad’s role in the org? I’m normally against nepo picks, but him and Landon are legitimate talents and may come at a reasonable price relative to similar HS picks.

How would people feel if our first four picks went Roch, Slightom, Thome, & Contreras?

Interesting that we've now heard Santarelli from both Kiley and Joe Doyle. The power is so tantalizing, but corner prep profile when all is said and done.

Slightom would be a huge get, but I have this feeling he doesn't make it to 41. Would feel a lot better if the Sox had that Pirates pick. I like Thome, but I think it depends on cost for me. I don't think he has this immense upside. I see him more as a 3rd round pick, but probably doesn't make it there. Contreras would be a fun one to get, but there are a few other prep arms I think I would take in his stead. Especially if the Vanderbilt tax puts him in the 3+ million range.

I would be pretty stoked with the those picks overall, but that's pretty much the entirety of your draft class I would wager. You actually might come up slightly short unless some of these "nepo" picks "cut" a deal. From the Over-Slot simulator which isn't perfect, but is probably the best we will do for bonus demands outside of @Y2Jimmy0 having intel on asks:

Roch 9.5

Thome 2.5

Slightom 2.5

Contreras 3.0

I would be okay with this being the entirety of the draft class. I know that some others would take umbrage at it being a 4 player class, but sign me up.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by DirtySox

From Kiley's Mock on that Pirates pick. #34.

This pick has been heavily rumored to be offered in trades for about a month. I've had at least half a dozen teams tell me they made a run at this pick; the asking price seems to be a good MLB reliever. Teams expect the pick to be traded before the draft, but the clock is ticking.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by DirtySox

1 hour ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Also, Kiley’s final mock is a two rounder. In the 2nd, he has the Sox taking HS OF Dominic Santarelli. Meanwhile, HS RHP Jack Slightom goes 15 picks later. Baseball America brought up Jack in their “what we’re hearing heading into the weekend” article this morning and said he essentially has the most amount of helium and could go in the top 40. Based on what the draft experts here have highlighted and Shirley’s comment about really liking a HS arm, it feels like he’s legit option for us at the #41.

Landon Thome not mocked to go in the first two rounds, but Kiley did include in a list of guys who either get their bonus demands met in the 3rd or 4th round or go to college. He did say that Thome was a target for the White Sox with a later pick. I feel very confident he ends up a White Sox pick in one of those two spots.

Joseph Contreras also not mocked to go in the first two rounds and referred to as a tough HS signing due to his Vanderbilt commit. Is he another guy the Sox could potentially scoop up in the 3rd or 4th given his dad’s role in the org? I’m normally against nepo picks, but him and Landon are legitimate talents and may come at a reasonable price relative to similar HS picks.

How would people feel if our first four picks went Roch, Slightom, Thome, & Contreras?

I'd love it if we got those 4.