Chicago White Sox Strike Gold in 2026 MLB Draft Lottery

The Chicago White Sox hit the jackpot in the 2026 MLB draft lottery, securing the top pick. This is a big deal because it gives them first dibs on the best young talent. The draft is still months away, but experts are already making educated guesses about who might go where. Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop from UCLA, is the current favorite to be the first pick. He's improved a lot since his freshman year, showing off his hitting and power skills. He's also a great defender, which makes him a hot commodity. The White Sox already have some good shortstops, so Cholowsky would give them a tough but exciting decision. Next up is Grady Emerson, a high school shortstop from Texas. He's been on scouts' radars for a while and has a lot of potential. The Tampa Bay Rays, who pick second, might snag him. They've been known to take risks on high school players, and Emerson fits that mold. The Minnesota Twins, picking third, could go for Justin Lebron, another shortstop from Alabama. He's got great tools but needs to work on his contact skills. The Twins aren't afraid of a player with a bit of swing-and-miss if they see big upside. The San Francisco Giants, picking fourth, might grab Drew Burress, a center fielder from Georgia Tech. He's small but mighty, with a lot of power for his size. He's also a great hitter and baserunner. The Giants have been favoring college players lately, and Burress fits that trend. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Pirates, picking fifth, could choose A. J. Gracia, an outfielder from Virginia. He's a bit of a late bloomer, but he's shown impressive power and hitting skills. He's also a good fit for the Pirates' current roster needs. It's still early, and a lot can change before the draft. But one thing's for sure: the 2026 MLB draft is shaping up to be an exciting one.