As the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft approaches this Saturday, the Chicago White Sox have yet to finalize their selection with the first overall pick, according to Mike Shirley, the team’s director of amateur scouting. Despite extensive evaluations, Shirley said on Wednesday that the choice remains undecided and the organization will continue to assess prospects until the last moment.
The White Sox have reportedly narrowed their top options to three players: shortstops Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson, and catcher Vahn Lackey. Cholowsky, a UCLA standout, was initially considered the consensus top player following the White Sox’s draft lottery win in December. However, Emerson, a high school shortstop from Fort Worth Christian High School in Texas, has emerged as a strong contender, making the decision less clear-cut. Lackey, a catcher from Georgia Tech, remains in the conversation, adding further complexity.
General Manager Chris Getz has emphasized that the team’s priority is selecting the best available player, regardless of the major league roster’s immediate needs or the minor league system’s gaps. Financial considerations also play a role, though talent remains the foremost criterion. “It’s not about the major-league team; it’s not about the money; it’s about who is the best player,” Shirley explained. He added that the only potential barrier to a pick would be dissatisfaction with the signing bonus demands, which could prompt the team to explore other options.
The fact that both Cholowsky and Emerson share the same representation agency may influence negotiations, leaving Lackey—who stands apart in terms of agency affiliation—still viable. The White Sox have maintained a preference for shortstops in recent drafts, largely because they view the position as breeding ground for elite athletes. Of the team’s last five first-round selections, three have been shortstops. The shortage of high-caliber catchers, as the major league club has experienced this season, further complicates the decision.
Shirley, who has followed Cholowsky since his high school days, praised his development, leadership, sound defensive skills, and power potential. Emerson, coached by former major leaguer Rusty Greer, impressed scouts with his advanced hitting ability and athleticism at the high school level. Lackey, meanwhile, has demonstrated athletic tools that could make him a defensive cornerstone at catcher.
Concerns around the readiness of high school players to transition to the professional level have lessened in recent years, noted Shirley, citing last year’s first-round pick Billy Carlson, another high school shortstop who is now ranked among the organization’s top prospects. “It’s not about what they are today; it’s about what they’re going to be two to three years from now,” Shirley said.
Looking ahead, Shirley expressed hope that the White Sox would avoid holding another top pick by building a championship-caliber team. “I want to pass this on to someone else, and I want the White Sox to win a championship real soon,” he said, acknowledging the difficult path that led to their current position but also expressing optimism about the draft’s potential impact.