Getty

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 08: New Manager Will Venable of the Chicago White Sox poses with Vice President and General Manager Chris Getz during a introductory press conference at Guaranteed Rate Field on November 08, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Chicago White Sox have a franchise-altering decision to make in July.

Owning the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, whoever the White Sox pick will be a strong building block for the future.

Up until recently, it seemed that UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was the unanimous selection for No. 1 overall.

It’s becoming more of a “tossup”, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, with prep shortstop Grady Emerson’s emergence.

In McDaniel’s latest mock draft, he does have the White Sox selecting Cholowsky with their pick. However, he admits it’s becoming a close call between the two.

What Did McDaniel Say About the Chicago White Sox’s Pick?

Both Emerson and Cholowsky are extremely talented. There is no doubt about that.

However, most White Sox fans have their mind made up on selecting Cholowsky. They may soon be shocked, or even disappointed.

“I can already feel White Sox fans tensing up, because projecting this pick has become only more complicated since my last projection about a month ago,” McDaniel wrote. “The industry buzz is that Cholowsky vs. Grady Emerson is edging closer to a true 50-50 internally for Chicago. I still think Cholowsky wins a toss-up, and because of that, he’s probably 55% or 60% more likely to be the pick.”

While the No. 1 prospect on most draft experts’ boards, Cholowsky is no longer a sure thing to be selected by Chicago.

Emerson is rising in draft boards and mocks. McDaniel notes that Emerson has slightly higher upside than Cholowsky.

Another factor to consider is that Emerson will get a significantly lower bonus than Cholowsky. This would mean Chicago could use that money to spread across the other picks they have.

So, Who Should Be the Pick?

This is a very tricky question that, in the end, only general manager Chris Getz can answer.

As the White Sox navigate the end of their rebuild, this pick could have huge ramifications on their future.

Cholowsky is hitting .338/.463/.707, with 21 home runs, similar numbers to last season. He also has the benefit of being a more polished three-year college player than the high schooler, Emerson.

However, Emerson has earned high praise for his own advanced feel and polish at such a young age.

His scouting report on MLB Pipeline compares him to Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who has been one of the best in the game.

Emerson’s speed and sweet left-handed swing are big reasons why scouts are salivating at his potential upside.

He also puts together quality at-bats with elite plate discipline for his age.

The main question Getz needs to answer in the coming months is who projects to be the better player.

While Cholowsky has the higher floor, Emerson has a higher ceiling.

Whatever the case may be, the White Sox need to pick the best player available. While Cholowsky could be MLB-ready sooner than Emerson, Getz shouldn’t pick based on what the team needs short-term.

The White Sox infield is already crowded with players like Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth, Caleb Bonemer, Billy Carlson and others making their way through the minors.

While taking a shortstop will make this crowded middle infield even more crowded, the team must make the right decision and select Cholowsky or Emerson.

Currently at .500 for the first time this late into the season since 2022, the White Sox are finally starting to show signs of life.

This rebuild could be close to ending, and the No. 1 pick is the key out of it.