Get to know consensus 2026 MLB Draft #1 Draft Pick Roch Cholowsky

UCLA junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky, the heavy favorite to be the number one overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, has Valley roots. Cholowsky was a two-sport star at Hamilton High School in Chandler, and says he loved football more than baseball at the time. His future was on the diamond though, as evidenced by a sophomore season in which he led the Bruins to the College World Series and won just about every conference and national award possible. Cholowsky sits down with Arizona's Family anchor Nick King to discuss what makes him tick, and why – despite some gaudy numbers at the plate – he prefers defense to offense.

Arizona's Family Sports offers a one-of-a-kind perspective on Arizona sports. We cover a wide range of teams, from professional organizations such as the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Phoenix Rising FC to local colleges like ASU, Arizona, NAU, and GCU, as well as high schools and youth sports.