Roch Cholowsky, the top selection in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, has signed his rookie contract with the Chicago White Sox, securing a record-breaking $10.35 million signing bonus, sources confirmed.
This figure surpasses the previous record of $9.25 million, shared by Chase Burns and Charlie Condon from the 2024 draft. Cholowsky's bonus came in slightly under the $11.3 million slot value designated for the first pick.
While the White Sox have not officially announced the deal, Cholowsky was present at Sunday's game, throwing out the first pitch and occupying a luxury suite with family and friends. "I did see the video [of the first pitch], and I saw the crowd. So it was very exciting," Cholowsky's father, Dan, told reporters. "He flew out two or three weeks ago and fell in love with the city [Chicago]. I want what's best for him."
Cholowsky, a 6-foot-2 shortstop, completed his 2026 season at UCLA with impressive statistics, hitting .320 with 21 home runs, 60 RBIs, and a 1.088 OPS in 60 games. The Bruins finished their season with a 51-6 record, though they did not reach the College World Series.
Over his three seasons with UCLA, Cholowsky played in 178 games, accumulating 52 home runs, 167 RBIs, and a 1.072 OPS. He is the first UCLA player to be selected first overall since Gerrit Cole in 2011.
White Sox general manager Chris Getz noted Cholowsky's performance throughout his collegiate career. "You look at what he has done throughout his baseball career, both at UCLA, but prior to that," Getz said Saturday. "We had interest in him in high school and then to be able to watch his college career unfold and see what he accomplished and the impact that he had on his teammates and that program and now to envision that type of influence within this organization is something that attracted us to select him at No. 1."