A young fan, facing a serious illness, reached out to connect with a college athlete, which prompted a heartwarming response.
When Rock Cholowski learned about a teenager named Johnny Brand fighting a rare cancer, he sprang into action—figuratively running like he was going for an infield hit. Cholowski, a shortstop for UCLA, didn’t just show up alone; he decided to bring his entire team along to meet Johnny after his coach suggested it.
On the eve of the Bruins’ postseason push for the 2025 College World Series, 30 players packed into Johnny’s hospital room.
This visit wasn’t just for show. Cholowski returned the following year with another teammate and maintained a relationship with Johnny until his passing in December, expressing his support through direct messages and writing “JB” on his cleats to honor him.
Erin Brand, Johnny’s mother, expressed deep gratitude, saying to the California Post, “I might start crying again because what he meant to Johnny and what he did made a difference to my son.”
Cholowski’s selflessness is a recurring theme, especially as he’s projected to be the top pick in the upcoming MLB draft.
Before a game, he honored Johnny by writing his number in the dirt at home plate. He also shared cleats with his UCLA teammates, thanks to a deal with Nike, and even made sure the Jackie Robinson Stadium grass was kept tidy.
After UCLA’s season ended, Cholowski comforted a distraught bat boy, embracing him during a tough moment.
“That should tell you everything you need to know about Roch,” commented Jack Savage, who is the son of the Bruins’ coach.
Cholowski’s commitment to UCLA over professional baseball after high school showcases his loyalty. Even after a year or two, he chose to remain at UCLA, which further solidified his dedication.
He is expected to be drafted by the Chicago White Sox, the team he had conversations with back in high school.
A Rare Talent
Cholowski’s prowess as a player is evident through his strong build, powerful swing, good instincts, and speed—qualities that could enable him to steal bases at the major league level. One pro scout mentioned that he resembles two-time All-Star shortstop Trevor Story from the Boston Red Sox.
Cholowski concluded his college career having significantly uplifted UCLA from a struggling freshman season to making a College World Series appearance as a sophomore, winning over many fans along the way.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a former Bruin, praised Cholowski’s choice to stick with UCLA, saying, “What it says to me is he stayed at UCLA and didn’t chase the shortfall or the NIL.”
During his final college season, Cholowski experienced ups and downs. Despite the Bruins being a top-ranked team throughout the season and getting several byes in the Big Ten Tournament, they failed to advance past the regional tournament.
Ending the season on a disappointing note contrasted the memorable experiences he had throughout.
Leading UC Los Angeles with a .320 batting average, 21 home runs, and a 1.088 OPS, Cholowski was named Big Ten Player of the Year for the second consecutive time. He’s now among just a few players in Big Ten history to earn this recognition back-to-back.
While some players have faced unpredictability post-college, like Larkin and Appert, scouts believe Cholowski is on a different trajectory. After all, his father, a Hall of Fame player at the University of California who was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, never made it to the major leagues.
Scouts are confident that Cholowski isn’t likely to follow the same path, even if living up to being the No. 1 pick won’t be a walk in the park.
Distinctive Beginnings
Cholowski, who prefers to maintain a low profile and declined to comment for this article, has an interesting backstory. His mother initially wanted to name him after his father, but they agreed on a unique name that reflected family heritage.
Once his older brother started referring to him as Roch, it stuck—a name that also lends itself to many playful puns.
Cholowski’s father took an encouraging approach to his son’s baseball journey, allowing him to develop and ask for feedback on his own terms.
His experiences in various sports, including soccer and basketball, helped shape his understanding of teamwork. However, competition was evident during a recent game when he voiced his frustrations loudly during a play.
A draft viewing party planned for Cholowski in his hometown of Chandler, Arizona, is likely to be lively, with family and friends gathering to celebrate his potential selection, which could resonate with many of his teammates who are also strong draft prospects.
Ultimately, supporters expect Cholowski to celebrate not just his own achievements but the successes of those around him as well.
“The selflessness that I see every day is what really separates him,” remarked John Savage, highlighting the qualities that define a winning player.
