The 2026 MLB Draft is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 11, continuing its new scheduling format established five years ago. With a dismal 60-102 record last season, the Chicago White Sox won the lottery and secured the No. 1 pick, marking the third time in franchise history they have held this selection.

Mike Shirley, the White Sox scouting director, expressed enthusiasm about the team's growth, emphasizing the importance of the first pick in bolstering the organization. The White Sox are projected to select Roch Cholowsky, a standout shortstop from UCLA, a choice they have favored across all four mock drafts, though rumors suggest they might consider Grady Emerson, a Texas high school shortstop, as a viable alternative.

Key Picks in the Mock Draft:

• 1. White Sox: SS Roch Cholowsky, UCLA
• 2. Rays: SS Grady Emerson, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX)
• 3. Twins: C Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech
• 4. Giants: SS Jacob Lombard, Gulliver Prep (FL)
• 5. Pirates: OF Eric Booth Jr., Oak Grove HS (MS)

The San Francisco Giants also made headlines, moving up from the No. 15 pick to No. 4, their highest selection since 2018. Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies dropped to the No. 10 pick after a disappointing 119-loss season.

All first-round selections remain protected from free-agent compensation, ensuring that teams will forfeit later picks to sign qualified free agents. The Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, and Yankees face penalties, pushing their first 2026 picks back ten spots.

As anticipation builds, teams strategize on securing top talent, with many eyes focused on the impact of the upcoming draft.