Rob Manfred Might Want to Do This Again

Roch Cholowski has been a name to watch for a while now, especially as a top contender for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB draft. On Saturday, that moment finally arrived; the UCLA standout heard his name called as the draft kicked off in Philadelphia.

Well, sort of. He thought he did.

“With the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox selected shortstop Rock Cholowski from UCLA,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced. However, he mistakenly pronounced Cholowski’s name as chuh-LEW-skee instead of cha-LAU-skee—a mix-up that some may find amusing.

The draft started off somewhat awkwardly. Cholowski’s name had been floating around baseball circles for quite a while now, so the stakes were high. Regardless of the name hiccup, it marked an unforgettable day for the talented infielder. He’s now set to embark on his professional journey with the White Sox, a team that’s somewhat unexpectedly leading the American League Central Division with a record of 48-45 before Saturday’s game.

Cholowski, who is the son of former minor leaguer Dan Cholowski, was considered more of a likely No. 2 pick. He boasts a Strike, Power, and Arm rating of 60 out of 80, according to MLB Pipeline.

Surrounded by friends and family at the draft, Cholowski could hardly contain his emotions. “I was very emotional this morning,” he shared with NBC after the announcement. “I found out a few hours ago but kept it to myself until I arrived. Everyone learned of my selection at the same time, so it’s amazing to have them here. I’m excited and ready to get to work.”

In his time at UCLA, Cholowski played in 178 games, achieving a .329 batting average along with 52 home runs. The White Sox are hopeful he can be a cornerstone of their future success.