PHILADELPHIA — The Chicago White Sox have turned the corner in the standings, but they’re also sitting in prime position for the future: they hold the No. 1 overall pick in Saturday’s MLB Draft, taking place in Philadelphia as part of All-Star Game weekend.
Chicago earned that top selection after losing 102 games last season and winning the draft lottery. Now, with All-Star third baseman Miguel Vargas leading a surprising turnaround — the team is in AL Central contention after three consecutive 100-loss seasons — the White Sox are looking to add another piece that could help them chase their first World Series championship since 2005.
Unlike some years when a clear-cut top prospect exists — think current Philadelphia Phillies slugger and 2026 All-Star Bryce Harper, who was the obvious No. 1 in 2010 — this year’s draft doesn’t have one obvious answer. The White Sox are expected to choose from three candidates: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson, or Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey.
MLB announced Friday that no amateur players are scheduled to attend the draft, consistent with last year’s format.
Here’s a closer look at the leading candidates for the top pick and other notable early-round prospects:
— Cholowsky: The 6-foot-2 right-handed hitter was a Golden Spikes Award finalist at UCLA, posting a 1.088 OPS with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs during his junior season.
— Lackey: The 21-year-old catcher didn’t receive a single Division I scholarship offer until his senior year of high school, but has developed into one of the draft’s premier catching prospects at Georgia Tech. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound backstop also showed versatility by playing third base.
— Emerson: At just 18 years old, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound shortstop bats left and throws right, and is widely regarded as the most complete player available in this draft class.
Because the White Sox are now in win-now mode after years of rebuilding, they may favor a college player like Cholowsky, who has proven himself at a high level and could contribute to the organization more quickly — potentially even this season, with the exception of pitchers.
White Sox director of player development Paul Janish explained the team’s thinking on bringing new draftees along.
