Draft Day 1: Pick-by-pick rundown, analysis

The 2026 MLB Draft's first day featured four rounds and 135 picks, held in Philadelphia on July 11th. The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick, while the Tampa Bay Rays took top-ranked Texas high schooler Grady Emerson at No. 2. The draft concluded with Jaxon Jelkin being selected 135th by the Philadelphia Phillies.