For the first time in nearly half a century, the White Sox are back on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft. The last time this franchise held that spot?

1977 – the year they selected Harold Baines, a future Hall of Famer. Now, with a top-heavy draft class and a clear path to the best talent available, Chicago has a rare opportunity to reshape its future.

And all signs point to UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky as the frontrunner.

Let’s be clear: Cholowsky isn’t just good – he’s the kind of prospect front offices dream about. Named Baseball America’s 2025 College Baseball Player of the Year, he brings a polished, well-rounded game that checks just about every box.

Scouts have handed out plus grades in four of the five key tools, with only his speed lagging slightly behind. His overall scouting grade?

A strong 65. That’s elite territory.

Offensively, Cholowsky flat-out raked last season. His .353/.480/.710 slash line over 66 games wasn’t just eye-catching – it was dominant.

He launched 23 home runs and drew 45 walks, showing off a rare mix of power and plate discipline. That blend of bat speed, barrel control, and zone awareness makes him one of the most advanced college hitters in recent memory.

And when you compare him to someone like Billy Carlson – the glove-first shortstop the Sox drafted in the first round earlier this year – the difference in offensive upside is stark. Carlson’s value is built around defense.

Cholowsky? He brings the full package, with a bat that could anchor a lineup for years.

What makes Cholowsky even more appealing is his track record against high-level competition. Unlike high school standout Grady Emerson, who’s projected to go second overall, Cholowsky has already proven himself at the college level.

That experience lowers the risk factor considerably. He’s more battle-tested, more refined, and more likely to move quickly through the minor league system.

The comparison that keeps popping up in scouting circles is Troy Tulowitzki – and it’s not just lazy shorthand. Like Tulo, Cholowsky is a five-tool shortstop with a strong arm, smooth glove, and legit pop at the plate.

Tulowitzki, of course, went seventh overall to the Rockies in 2005 and made his MLB debut a year later. After a slow start, he exploded in 2007 with 24 homers and a .291/.359/.479 slash line, finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

While injuries ultimately kept him from reaching Cooperstown, Tulowitzki carved out a stellar career – the kind Cholowsky could realistically emulate if everything clicks.

Now, it’s not all sunshine. One red flag that’s come up is Cholowsky’s performance late in the season, especially against tougher, non-Big Ten arms.

He looked a little fatigued, and the swing didn’t have quite the same snap. That’s something worth monitoring as he heads into his junior year.

But it’s also something that can be addressed – especially with the right development staff in place.

Enter Ryan Fuller, the White Sox’s director of hitting. If you’re not familiar with Fuller’s work, just look at what he did with Adley Rutschman in Baltimore.

From the minors to MLB stardom, Fuller was there every step of the way, helping mold Rutschman into an All-Star and Silver Slugger winner. His approach – data-driven, detail-oriented, and focused on smart swing decisions – could be exactly what Cholowsky needs to take that next leap.

And that’s where this all comes together. Cholowsky brings the raw tools and college polish.

Fuller brings the developmental blueprint. Put them together, and you’ve got the foundation for something special on the South Side.

Of course, the Sox will still do their due diligence. They’ll scout Cholowsky’s junior year closely.

They’ll evaluate the other top prospects in the class. That’s part of the process.

But right now, there’s every reason to believe that Cholowsky is not just the best player available – he’s the right fit for this franchise at this moment.

For a team looking to turn the page and build a sustainable core, this is a pivotal draft. And if Roch Cholowsky is the name called first next summer, White Sox fans should feel pretty good about where things are headed.