White Sox Win 2026 Draft Lottery, Select First Overall

The Chicago White Sox won the 2026 Major League Baseball draft lottery, securing the first overall pick. This significant achievement occurred during the annual draft lottery at the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz emphasized the importance of this event, stating, "It's a significant, significant event for us, and it can't be overstated how important it is." The team entered the lottery with a 27.7% chance of winning, which ultimately paid off.

With this pick, the White Sox have the opportunity to select top prospects, with UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky emerging as a strong candidate. Cholowsky had an impressive sophomore season, hitting 23 home runs and boasting a .353 batting average.

The White Sox's victory comes after a challenging rebuilding phase, including a record 121 losses in 2024 and 102 losses in 2025. This new draft position allows them to add another key talent to their roster.

According to ESPN, the White Sox will select first, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Pittsburgh Pirates. This draft class is seen as particularly strong, with multiple high-upside players available.

Getz expressed his excitement about the potential to strengthen the team's core with the top pick, stating, "We're busy -- good busy," and highlighting the importance of talent acquisition through the draft.