2026 MLB Draft Preview: White Sox Kick Off With Top Pick

Timing and Broadcast Details

The draft opens on Saturday, July 11, with the first four rounds scheduled for 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. ET. NBC and Peacock will carry the early action, while rounds 11‑40 flow from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+. The final 96 picks stretch from 4:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., also streamed on MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+.

White Sox Position and Outlook

Chicago enters the lottery with the No. 1 overall selection and currently sits atop the AL Central, flirting with a .500 mark. The franchise’s recent surge makes the pick especially high‑staked, as general manager Chris Getz must decide whether to stay the expected path or surprise the MLB world. The team’s looming decision will set the tone for the rest of the draft and for the South Side’s rebuild.

Top Prospects Under the Spotlight

• Roch Cholowsky – The UCLA shortstop is slated as a premier defensive gem with a refined bat, drawing comparisons to vintage contact hitters. Scouts praise his plate discipline and ability to run the bases, making him a lock for early consideration.
• Vahn Lackey – Georgia Tech’s catcher brings a powerful arm and a solid offensive approach, hitting for average with occasional pop. His mature frame and experience behind the plate make him a viable MLB catcher candidate. Lackey’s competitiveness in high‑pressure situations adds to his appeal.
• Grady Emerson – The 18‑year‑old Texas shortstop is the lone high‑school name among the elite trio, already drawing buzz for his batting eye and defensive versatility. Emerson’s upside is a central conversation in the CBA debate, as the league weighs whether high‑school talent will remain draft‑eligible.

Other top‑five selections include the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates, each poised to address specific roster needs. The draft’s complexion could shift dramatically if the MLBPA’s proposal to bar high‑school players becomes reality, potentially reshaping how teams approach early scouting. For now, the White Sox, Rays, Twins, Giants and Pirates will dominate the conversation as they sort through the current crop of premier talent.

Stay tuned to Yahoo Sports for live updates, expert analysis, and real‑time coverage of every pick as the 2026 MLB Draft unfolds. Follow the action from the opening rounds through the final selections for a complete picture of MLB’s future.