MLB Draft 2026 Live Updates, Results and Highlights From Round 1

With Roch Cholowsky off the board, Grady Emerson at No. 2 was a lay-up for the Rays.

Though he bats left-handed, Emerson is often compared to Troy Tulowitzki as a big, physical shortstop with loud tools across the board. He'll likely need a few years of development coming out of high school, but he should stick at shortstop.

Granted, the Rays might wish they could put Emerson at shortstop tomorrow. They're getting a .598 OPS from the position, worst in the American League.

The No. 2 pick has a bonus value of $10,507,000.

The first pick is in, and it's Roch Cholowsky to the White Sox.

There's a difference of opinion as to whether he or prep shortstop Grady Emerson is the top player in this class, but there's little doubt about Cholowsky's upside. Only his speed isn't a plus tool. He has a ceiling as a right-handed-swinging Corey Seager.

The White Sox already have a star shortstop in Colston Montgomery, and their top prospect (Caleb Bonemer) is also seen as a viable shortstop. As such, someone might have to move to third base or second base at some point.

The No. 1 pick carries a $11,350,600 slot value. According to Joe Doyle of Over-Slot, Cholowsky is expected to sign for around $9.5 million.

There may be no prospects in attendance at the draft, but mascots have made the trip. Unsurprisingly, the Atlanta Braves mascot "Blooper," did not get a warm welcome from the Philadelphia crowd.

Draft coverage has officially begun on NBC and Peacock, and one star has already shown up. Cole Hamels is part of the broadcast as a nod to the host city of Philadelphia, where he was a three-time All-Star and World Series champion for the Phillies.

Notably not in attendance are any players who could actually get drafted on Saturday. This is the second year in a row that the event has gone 0-fer in attracting draft prospects to the event, though there will be live shots of any draft parties that may be going on elsewhere.