The 2026 MLB Draft is only six weeks away. The two-day draft begins Saturday, July 11, continuing MLB's approach of holding the event during All-Star Break to better market the event.
Lottery System Overview
This is the fourth draft with MLB's lottery system. Picks 1-6 are assigned via lottery, picks 7-18 go to non-postseason teams in reverse order of standings, and picks 19-30 go to postseason teams based on playoff finish.
White Sox Win No. 1 Pick
At 60-102, the White Sox had baseball's second-worst record last season, yet Chicago won the lottery and moved up to the No. 1 pick. It is the third time in franchise history the White Sox have held the No. 1 selection.
"It's an opportunity to boost what we have going on right now," ChiSox GM Chris Getz said after winning the lottery. "It's an honor. It's a huge responsibility. I'm just so happy for everyone."
Previous No. 1 picks: Danny Goodwin in 1971 (did not sign) and Hall of Famer Harold Baines in 1977.
Other Lottery Winners
The Giants moved up from No. 15 to No. 4 — their highest selection since taking Joey Bart with No. 2 pick in 2018. The 119-loss Rockies moved back to No. 10 after having No. 3 pick in 2024 and No. 4 pick in 2025.
CBT Penalties Affect First Round
Teams exceeding the $281 million third competitive balance tax threshold face penalties that move their first 2026 pick back 10 spots. The Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, and Yankees all exceeded the threshold and are now out of the first round.
All first-round picks are protected from free-agent compensation. Teams forfeit later draft picks and international bonus pool money to sign qualified free agents.
Bonus Pool Structure
Each team receives a set bonus pool for draft spending. The White Sox have the largest bonus pool at $17,592,100. The Dodgers have the smallest at $3,951,900 due to CBT penalties and surrendering four picks to sign qualified free agents Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker.
Penalties for excessive spending include a tax on overage and forfeiting a future first rounder, making the bonus pool effectively a hard cap.
Draft Philosophy
Teams generally do not draft for need in early rounds. It's difficult to predict roster needs two or three years down the line when most players will be ready for the big leagues. The approach: take the best available talent and sort out the roster later.
First-Round Mock Draft
1. White Sox: SS Roch Cholowsky, UCLA
Cholowsky is the best college shortstop in years — likely since Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman went 1-2 in the 2015 draft — and is the consensus No. 1 prospect. High school shortstop Grady Emerson is a legitimate alternative at No. 1.