White Sox considering three hitters for No. 1 pick

Cholowsky had gone 6-for-36 with a homer and seven walks in nine games for High-A Winston Salem. He’ll probably return there for the start of next year, but he might be in Double-A before long.

Emerson was the number two pick in July’s draft and signed for a massive $9.75 million with the Rays, the second-highest bonus in draft history and highest ever for a high school player. He has the chance to be a special prospect with true five-category upside and is already a top-10 prospect per MLB Pipeline’s recent re-rank.

Cholowsky, the first-overall selection in last month’s draft, offers one of the highest realistic fantasy floors of any collegiate hitter in recent memory. The 21-year-old shortstop won’t help much in the stolen base department, but he should hit for a respectable batting average with plenty of over-the-fence pop. He should be on a relatively quick path the big leagues as Chicago’s surefire shortstop of the future.

The second-overall selection receives a whopping $9.75 million from Tampa Bay, which represents the second-highest signing bonus in draft history. It’s also a record for a high school player, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis. The 18-year-old shortstop has a chance to evolve into the most impactful fantasy contributor from his draft class. He projects as a future five-category standout capable of hitting for both average and power while also chipping in some stolen bases. He’s several hyperspace jumps from the majors at this stage of his development, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he moved quickly through Tampa Bay’s system in the coming years.

Lackey was the third overall pick in this month’s MLB Draft and will get the second-highest signing bonus of all time behind Roch Cholowsky, who was taken first overall in the same draft. The slot value for the third pick in this year’s draft was $9.7 million, so the deal is in line with what was expected for the Georgia Tech product.

Cholowsky receives a $10.35 million signing bonus, which represents a roughly $1 million under-slot deal, as the top-overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The 21-year-old was universally regarded as the most polished collegiate shortstop in at least a decade with a real chance to be above average both at the plate and in the field. From a fantasy standpoint, he projects as a strong contributor in the power department with enough hit tool projection to envision a respectable batting average. He won’t help at all in the stolen base department, which caps his realistic upside. Still, he’s a phenomenal prospect with a chance to bolster Chicago’s rapidly improving young nucleus as one of their future franchise cornerstones.

Lackey was far from an unknown coming into the season, but to say he saw his stock rise in 2026 is an understatement. The 21-year-old backstop hit .397/.519/.772 with the Yellow Jackets, and there are many who believe he is the best player in the class. Lackey’s swing isn’t picturesque, but he makes it work and stays in the zone long enough to project not only a chance to hit for average, but it comes with enough bat speed that 30-plus homer seasons are a realistic possibility. He’s also a very solid defender behind the plate -- who would be athletic enough to play elsewhere if necessary -- with an arm that will keep all but the fleetest of runners from stealing bags on a regular basis. It’s hard not to see Lackey developing into a starting backstop, and he’s the rare combination of high floor and high ceiling that makes him a must-roster in dynasty formats.

Emerson started the year as the top prep bat in the class, and did nothing over his senior season to drop him from that spot. If anything, the 18-year-old has seen his stock rise while showing the potential to be a five-tool player. The best of these tools is a swing that is built to make hard contact to all parts of the field, and on top of a chance to hit for a high average, there’s 25-plus homer potential in his left-handed swing. He’s an above-average runner who should steal plenty of bags, and there’s nothing that suggests he won’t be able to play shortstop at the highest level. Emerson will need at least a little time in the minors before he can make an impact, but in terms of pure fantasy upside, no player in the class -- regardless -of level -- has a better chance of being a star.

Cholowsky was one of the most productive hitters in college baseball in his time at UCLA, and finished his junior season with .320/.452/.686 slash along with 23 homers over 60 games with the Bruins. The 21-year-old has significant power from the right side, and while the hit tool projects slightly below his power, he makes enough hard contact with a solid approach to suggest he can hit for a solid average as well. The only thing Cholowsky isn’t projected to do offensively is steal bases, as he’s only swiped 14 bags in his three seasons in college. Despite that lack of speed he’s a terrific defender who does project to stick at shortstop. Cholowsky has tremendous upside, and he has a real chance to be the best player in the class.