No. 1 Pick Roch Cholowsky Reportedly Lands Historic MLB Signing Bonus as Part of White Sox Contract

Key Points:

• Roch Cholowsky, the No. 1 overall pick, signed with the Chicago White Sox for a $10.4 million bonus, setting a new record while still accepting less than the slot value of $11.35 million.
• The Washington Nationals also saved money by signing prep shortstop Eli Willits for $8.2 million, well below his slot value of approximately $11.1 million.
• Chicago chose Cholowsky, a UCLA junior with strong hitting and defensive grades, over high school prospect Grady Emerson, prioritizing a safer pick with a high floor and clear upside.
• Cholowsky's impressive 2026 college stats include 21 home runs and a .320/.452/.636 slash line, with MLB.com scouting grades of 60 for hitting and power and 65 for defense.
• The White Sox already have a promising young shortstop, Colson Montgomery, and plan to develop Cholowsky in the minors before integrating him into the major league lineup.