The Chicago White Sox appear to be in an enviable position as the countdown to this summer’s MLB Draft continues. Holding the No. 1 overall selection always comes with pressure, speculation, and second guessing. Yet in this case, there seems to be an unusual level of clarity.
What once felt like a strong possibility has rapidly evolved into something closer to certainty. If there were any lingering doubts about who should hear his name called first in July, those questions have been answered emphatically over the past week.
For more than a year, Roch Cholowsky of UCLA Bruins baseball has been widely projected as the premier talent in his draft class. Scouts, analysts, and front offices alike have circled his name as the most complete prospect available. A legitimate five tool infielder, he blends power, hitting ability, speed, arm strength, and defensive prowess in a way that is rarely seen at the collegiate level.
During the 2025 season, he established himself as arguably the best player in college baseball, and early indications suggest he is determined not only to repeat that distinction but to strengthen his grip on it.
If there were any concerns about how he might handle the spotlight or the heightened expectations entering a draft year, Cholowsky has silenced them in dramatic fashion. Through his first seven games of the season, the 20 year old has been nothing short of electric.
He opened the campaign with a blistering slash line of .393/.486/1.143, numbers that leap off the page and demand attention. Every series has felt like a showcase of his offensive arsenal. Opponents such as UC San Diego Tritons, Tulane Green Wave baseball, and TCU Horned Frogs baseball have all attempted to contain him, and each has come up short.
Whether drawing walks, lining balls into gaps, or driving pitches over the fence, he has found ways to impact games consistently. Already, he has logged three multi RBI outings, a testament to both his productivity and his knack for delivering in key moments.
What has stood out most in this torrid opening stretch is his power. Cholowsky’s bat has been thunderous. A towering home run against TCU on Sunday further cemented the impression that he is operating on a different level right now.
That particular blast sailed straight over the center field wall and reportedly left his bat at 103 miles per hour. It was the type of swing that requires no doubt, no suspense just a crack of the bat followed by immediate admiration from teammates and stunned silence from opponents.
Incredibly, he has already recorded two multi homer performances this season. One of those nights, again against TCU, was a jaw dropping five RBI showcase in the series opener. He wasted little time announcing his presence in that game, launching a grand slam in the bottom of the second inning.
The ball soared high into the left field sky, a no doubt drive that epitomized star level production. Performances like that do more than pad statistics; they reinforce the notion that he thrives when the spotlight burns brightest.
Last season, Cholowsky’s résumé was already impressive. Over 66 games, he belted 23 home runs, finishing among the top five in all of college baseball in that category. That level of production alone would have placed him squarely in first overall discussions. Yet the early returns this year suggest that he may be poised to surpass even those lofty numbers.
While the season is still young and much baseball remains to be played, his current trajectory points toward a potential career best campaign. The raw power appears sharper, more explosive. His timing looks refined. The ball is jumping off his bat with even greater authority.
Equally encouraging for evaluators is the evolution of his approach at the plate. Power hitters sometimes carry elevated strikeout totals, but Cholowsky’s discipline has been a defining strength. In his first 28 at bats this season, he has struck out only four times.
That composure aligns with what he demonstrated in 2025, when he posted a remarkably low 9.3 percent strikeout rate. For a player with his level of pop, maintaining that kind of contact skill is rare and immensely valuable. It suggests not only physical gifts but also an advanced understanding of the strike zone and the ability to make in game adjustments.
While his offensive dominance naturally draws the most headlines, focusing solely on his bat would paint an incomplete picture. Cholowsky’s defensive contributions are equally significant in evaluating his overall impact. At shortstop, he combines a sturdy frame with fluid athleticism.
His movements are smooth and efficient, his internal clock refined. He shows comfort ranging to both sides, charging slow rollers, and completing difficult throws from multiple arm angles. That blend of instincts and physical tools fuels the belief that he can remain at the premium position long term.
It is that two-way excellence offensive firepower paired with defensive reliability that elevates him from standout to potential franchise cornerstone. Teams picking at the very top of the draft are not simply searching for contributors; they are seeking transformational players. Cholowsky’s skill set suggests he could be exactly that.
The name that frequently surfaces in discussions about his ceiling is Troy Tulowitzki. The comparison stems from the shared profile, a power hitting shortstop capable of anchoring both the lineup and the infield. Tulowitzki, at his peak, was among the most dynamic players in Major League Baseball, blending Gold Glove caliber defense with middle of the order thump.
Of course, comparisons can be a double edged sword. They provide context but also risk inflating expectations to unrealistic heights. Cholowsky must carve his own path, and his development will unfold in its own way. Still, the fact that evaluators even entertain such lofty parallels underscores the magnitude of his upside. The early-season surge only reinforces that belief.
Living up to hype is never simple, particularly when the draft spotlight intensifies with each passing week. For some prospects, expectations can become a burden. For Cholowsky, however, the attention seems almost fuel like.
He has played with a confidence that borders on effortless. Each at bat looks purposeful yet relaxed. Each defensive play appears instinctive rather than forced. That calm command of his abilities may be one of his most underrated traits.
For the White Sox, a franchise that has struggled to find sustained momentum in recent years, the possibility of adding such a talent is enticing. Rebuilding processes demand patience, vision, and cornerstone pieces around which everything else can be structured. A player with Cholowsky’s comprehensive toolkit could serve as that foundational figure. His presence would not merely add production; it would inject energy, belief, and a renewed sense of direction.
As the draft approaches, debates will undoubtedly continue in various corners of the baseball world. Alternative names may surface. Scouting reports will be dissected and scrutinized. Yet barring an unforeseen development, the trajectory seems clear.
Cholowsky has not only met expectations he has accelerated beyond them. With every booming home run, every disciplined at bat, and every smooth play at shortstop, he strengthens the case that he is the premier talent in this class.
If the White Sox ultimately hand in his name with the first pick, it will not be a leap of faith but a decision rooted in sustained excellence and undeniable potential. And if his current pace is any indication, the franchise and its fan base could soon witness the arrival of a player capable of reshaping its future for years to come.
