Shortstop Roch Cholowsky, the No.1 overall pick in last weekend’s MLB Draft, has agreed to a record $10.35 million signing bonus with the Chicago White Sox, MLB.com reported on Monday.
While that bonus is below the $11.35 million slot value for that pick, it’s also comfortably the largest signing bonus in MLB history, surpassing the $9.25 million that Chase Burns and Charlie Condon signed for as the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Cholowsky, 21, was talked about as a potential future No. 1 pick throughout his collegiate career at UCLA. He hit .329 with a .448 on-base percentage over three seasons and 178 games for the Bruins, amassing 52 homers and 167 career RBIs with more walks (105) than strikeouts (100).
He arrives in Chicago’s farm system as a likely fast-riser, set to join the ascendant White Sox — who are 50-45 at the All-Star break after losing 100-plus games each of the last three seasons — as soon as next season.
