Chicago White Sox sign Roch Cholowsky to record deal: Report

One of the talking points about the Chicago White Sox potentially passing on Roch Cholowsky was that the UCLA shortstop was expected to land a hefty rookie deal.

The White Sox chose to draft Cholowsky with the No. 1 pick on Saturday and are set to pay him a record deal.

Per MLB.com, Chicago gave Cholowsky a signing bonus of $10.35 million, over $1 million more than the bonuses given by the Cincinnati Reds to Chase Burns and the Colorado Rockies to Charlie Condon in 2024.

Via the MLB:

“The No. 1 selection in this year’s MLB Draft, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, has passed his physical and will sign with the White Sox with a record-setting signing bonus of $10.35 million (the slot value for the pick was $11,350,600), a source told MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis.

“Cholowsky’s bonus eclipses the $9.3 million bonuses given to Reds right-hander Chase Burns and Rockies outfield prospect Charlie Condon when they were drafted in 2024.”

More News: Grading the White Sox 5 day 1 2026 MLB Draft selections

Roch Cholowsky happy to be with Chicago White Sox

More News: White Sox 2025 All-Star could be back soon after latest milestone

After learning he was drafted by the White Sox, Cholowsky said he was excited to play for a contender in Chicago.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I know I’m not going straight to the big leagues; there’s a lot of work that needs to be put in. But seeing how well the team at the top is doing and the moves they’re making, the way they’re playing, it’s definitely a lot more motivation to get up there and join those guys at some point.

“Being able to be part of a contender is pretty cool. I value winning a lot. Seeing what they’re doing up there for the first half of the season is pretty special.”

The White Sox won’t play Cholowsky, 21, during the regular season this year, at least not in the majors. However, there is a chance he could be called up into the big leagues by the end of the 2027 campaign.

Chicago is set to make a push for the postseason this year after a dramatic turnaround from the embarrassing 2024 and 2025 seasons. Cholowsky could be a part of a World Series push in the next few seasons with the White Sox.

And he’ll be paid handsomely for it.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Chicago White Sox sign Roch Cholowsky to record deal: Report appeared first on ChiCitySports.