UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is widely expected to be the first player selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft on Saturday. The projected top pick is drawing attention not only for his considerable baseball talents but also for his character and selfless actions.
Cholowsky's approach to his college career has been marked by prioritizing his team and community. Before the Bruins began their postseason run to the 2025 College World Series, Cholowsky visited a teenage boy named Johnny Brande, who was battling a rare and aggressive cancer. Cholowsky brought the entire UCLA baseball team to visit Brande in the hospital and continued to correspond with him until his passing in December. His mother, Erin Brande, told the California Post that Cholowsky's support "made the difference for our son."
Beyond this significant gesture, Cholowsky has demonstrated a consistent pattern of putting others first. He has honored a late friend by writing his number in the infield dirt and near home plate. He also gifted his UCLA teammates cleats as part of a deal with Nike and has been known to help maintain the team's home field. Following UCLA's season-ending loss, one of his first actions was to comfort the bat boy, embracing the upset player. Jack Savage, son of Bruins coach John Savage, noted that such actions "should tell you everything you need to know about Roch."
Cholowsky's commitment to UCLA extended beyond his freshman year. He bypassed professional opportunities to stay with the Bruins, a decision noted by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a former Bruin, as not "chasing the short money and the NIL."
On-Field Prowess
Cholowsky possesses a rare combination of skills that scouts believe could make him a franchise cornerstone. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder features a strong arm, a smooth and powerful swing, superior instincts, and enough speed to potentially steal 30 bases in the major leagues. One scout compared him to two-time All-Star shortstop Trevor Story.
His collegiate career saw him help lead UCLA back to the College World Series as a sophomore after a losing season his freshman year. In his final college season, Cholowsky hit .320 with 21 home runs and a 1.088 OPS. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, becoming one of three players in conference history to achieve this back-to-back honor. The Bruins were ranked No. 1 for the entire season and won the Big Ten Tournament, though they were upset in the NCAA Tournament Regional they hosted.
Background and Development
Born Daniel Roch Cholowsky, he adopted his middle name professionally. His father, Daniel Cholowsky, was a Hall of Fame infielder at Cal and a supplemental first-round pick in 1991, though he never reached the major leagues, instead becoming a scout. His mother, Tika, emphasized allowing Roch to develop independently, with his father only discussing baseball strategy when Roch initiated the conversation.
Cholowsky participated in a variety of sports growing up, including football, basketball, volleyball, golf, and badminton, which he credits with teaching him teamwork and strategic execution. Despite his often-calm demeanor, he possesses a fierce competitive streak, evident during an intrasquad game where he vocally expressed frustration with repeated timeouts from the opposing team.
As he prepares for the draft, Cholowsky is expected to celebrate with friends and family in his hometown of Chandler, Arizona. His selfless nature is anticipated to extend to celebrating the successes of any teammates who are also selected in the draft. Coach John Savage described Cholowsky as a "poster child" for winning foundations due to his consistent unselfishness.