For the first time in nearly half a century, fortune has smiled on the South Side. The Chicago White Sox have won the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery, securing the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft.
White Sox Land Top Pick for First Time Since 1977
The drawing, held on Tuesday, involved all 18 teams that missed the postseason, but it was Chicago, which entered the evening with the best odds, that walked away with the prize. It marks just the third time in franchise history the White Sox will select first overall, and the first time since 1977.
While Chicago’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of dismal, this small victory offers a flicker of hope, the kind of pivotal moment that could shape the next decade of White Sox baseball. In a sport where rebuilds are painstakingly slow and often fruitless, a top pick can mean everything. Especially when it comes at just the right time.
Rockies’ Nightmare Season Ends With 10th Pick
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies, the only team to lose over 115 games this season, found themselves on the outside looking in. Despite having the worst record in Major League Baseball at 43–119, MLB’s draft lottery rules prevented them from picking in the top six for a third consecutive year. Their fate? The 10th overall selection. It’s a rule designed to prevent serial tanking, and while it’s working as intended, it’s likely to stir debate among Rockies fans, especially after a season that was historically bad by any measure.
2026 MLB Draft Set for Philadelphia in July
As the league looks ahead to the 2026 MLB Draft, which will take place July 11–12 in Philadelphia, the order is set, but the real drama is only beginning. With a top-heavy class of amateur talent expected and organizations positioning themselves for long-term relevance, Chicago’s choice at No. 1 could set off ripple effects that last for years.
History says the No. 1 pick is no guarantee of success, but it is an opportunity. And in a league where opportunities like this don’t come often, the White Sox now hold the rarest card in the deck.
