BREAKING: White Sox win 2026 MLB Draft Lottery, land No. 1 pick for first time since 1977
I watched the envelopes open in Orlando tonight. The Chicago White Sox logo flashed first. The room paused for a beat, then burst. The Sox have won the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery, and with it the power to shape July’s draft and their rebuild. The pick is franchise-altering. It is their first No. 1 since 1977, when they selected Harold Baines.
What happened tonight
The lottery took place during the Winter Meetings in Orlando and aired on MLB Network. Six picks were drawn. Chicago entered with the best odds, 27.73 percent, and cashed in. Minnesota will draft third. Kansas City jumped to sixth. Baltimore landed seventh. Atlanta slid to ninth, a tough hit for a club that wanted a quick turn on impact talent.
Colorado, Washington, and the Angels were not in the drawing. Recent rules limit consecutive appearances, which kept them out this year.
Chicago holds the board. Every team now plans around the White Sox at No. 1.
What it means for the White Sox
This is the fulcrum of the White Sox rebuild. The pick slots at the very top of a class heavy on athletic up-the-middle players and several polished college arms. Best player available is the right path, but context matters.
Colson Montgomery is penciled in at shortstop. Luis Robert Jr. anchors center field, if he stays healthy. The rotation needs a long-term ace. The Sox have young arms coming, including Noah Schultz and Drew Thorpe, but they still need ceiling. They also need more impact bats who control the zone.
The front office can now build a winter plan around this selection. That means flexibility on free agents, a careful eye on payroll timing, and a scouting push that leaves no hole in the file.
Likely targets and fit
UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky sits in the early mix for No. 1. He brings smooth defense, calm at-bats, and leadership traits. If the Sox love the bat, they can take him and sort out positions later, Montgomery can slide to third if needed. If they prefer arms, this class will offer college starters with strike-throwing chops and fast timelines. If they want an outfield anchor, there are power bats with on-base skill who could fit behind Robert in a year or two.
The No. 1 slot also gives Chicago leverage. They can take their top-rated talent, or work an underslot deal that lets them get aggressive later on Day 1. Either way, the pick resets the rebuild clock and raises the ceiling.
The Sox scouting push ramps now. College ball starts in February, then come in-person looks, analytics deep dives, medicals, and private workouts.
Winners, movers, and the policy impact
The Twins at No. 3 just gained a premium asset to support a core led by Royce Lewis. Kansas City’s jump to No. 6 strengthens the group around Bobby Witt Jr., and could accelerate a pitching refresh. Baltimore at No. 7 feeds a farm that already churns hitters. Atlanta’s fall to No. 9 may pivot their board toward advanced college arms, a path to quick help.
The lottery arrived in 2023 to cut down on losing with intent. It still rewards bad records with better odds, but it also limits repeat shots at the very top. That is why the Rockies, Nationals, and Angels sat out. Tonight’s board reflected that balance. The worst clubs had a chance, but not certainty.
The lottery draws six slots, then the rest of the non-playoff order follows regular-season record.
- Notable outcomes: White Sox 1, Twins 3, Royals 6, Orioles 7, Braves 9
What comes next
Front offices now stack boards for a long spring. The college season will answer hit questions and velocity jumps. High school showcases will test makeup and swing decisions. The Sox will line up crosscheckers on priority targets, stress-test signability, and sync their bonus pool strategy. It also touches their big league plans. Holding No. 1 gives them patience. They can make measured moves in free agency, then let July deliver the next pillar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery?
A: The Chicago White Sox won and will pick first overall in July.
Q: Which teams moved the most?
A: The Royals moved into the sixth pick. The Braves slid to ninth.
Q: Why were the Rockies, Nationals, and Angels out?
A: Rules limit consecutive lottery appearances, which made them ineligible this year.
Q: Who are early names to watch at No. 1?
A: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is in the mix, along with top college arms and a few impact outfield bats.
Q: When and where is the draft?
A: The draft will take place in July during All-Star week.
The top pick lives at the South Side now. Chicago owns the first decision, the loudest stage, and the clearest path to a franchise cornerstone. The Sox just got their pivot point. Now the work starts.
