Roch Cholowsky's first game as a pro was a defensive showcase. In his second one, the bat entered the conversation.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Draft laced an RBI double for his first professional hit in High-A Winston-Salem's 7-4 victory over Asheville on Wednesday at Truist Stadium.
Batting second for the White Sox affiliate, Cholowsky was at the dish for multiple run scoring opportunities in the contest. After drawing a walk in the first inning, he dug in one frame later with runners on first and second and stung a ground ball up the middle off southpaw Adam Shoemaker (Astros). Center fielder Caden Powell had trouble fielding the knock, and Cholowsky scooted into second with a two-out game-tying RBI double.
The former UCLA star stepped up to the plate for his first bases-loaded at-bat as a pro in the third. Cholowsky fouled off consecutive offerings from righty Joan Ogando before hitting a ground ball to the left side. Third baseman Xavier Neyens (HOU No. 2/MLB No. 82) misplayed the ball and Cholowsky picked up another RBI while reaching on the error.
The 21-year-old ended the night 1-for-4 with the walk and pair of RBIs.
COMPLETE WHITE SOX PROSPECT COVERAGE
Hyped as the best all-around college shortstop prospect since Troy Tulowitzki, Cholowsky had a storied amateur career. He was ranked as MLB's No. 44 overall prospect prior to the 2023 Draft but decided to turn down professional suitors and attend UCLA.
A standout high school quarterback, Cholowsky blossomed after turning his attention to baseball full time. Over three seasons for the Bruins, he slashed .329/.448/.624 with 52 big flies, 191 runs and 167 RBIs over 178 contests. During his 2026 campaign, Cholowsky ranked fifth in the Southeastern Conference with a 1.086 OPS.
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While MLB Pipeline is a week away from folding 2026 draftees into the prospect rankings, Cholowsky's pre-Draft evaluation indicates he'll have lofty positioning for Chicago. The Arizona native sports four tools graded 60 or higher, and would slot in as the only South Siders prospect with three or more 60-grade tools.
The 6-foot-2, 201-pounder excels at finding the barrel and doesn't whiff or chase often. Most of his homers come to the pull side, where he has massive 70-grade raw pop. In the field, Cholowsky has great instincts and projects to be a plus defender at the six.
Last week, Cholowsky competed in MLB Bridge League games and hammered his first unofficial pro homer. Now he has his first professional knock ... officially.