White Sox 2026 Draft Picks Begin Playing in Minor Leagues

Just days after the 2026 MLB Draft, Roch Cholowsky, Landon Thome, and the entire 2026 White Sox draft class were in Charlotte for the organization's draft camp. Some of that camp was documented behind the scenes for the team's “Beyond 162” series on YouTube.

But with contracts signed and draft camp now in the rearview mirror, a handful of White Sox draft picks are beginning their professional careers in the minor leagues.

One of the benefits of drafting as much college talent as the White Sox did in 2026 is that those players can get started right away, giving White Sox fans an early look at the new crop of talent joining the organization.

On Friday night, four White Sox draft picks were added to the roster of the Single-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. 7th-round outfielder Clay Burdette, 12th-round outfielder Braden Holcomb, 13th-round first baseman Grayson Fitzwater, and 17th-round outfielder Crew McChesney were all added to the team.

Burdette was in the lineup for the Cannon Ballers on Friday night, batting sixth and starting in left field. He finished the night 1-for-4, getting that first professional hit out of the way, while the other three members of the White Sox draft class did not play.

Of this group, Burdette and Holcomb are the two prospects who really stand out as players who could move through the minor league system quickly. Burdette is 22 years old and posted a 1.140 OPS with 17 doubles, 17 home runs, and 10 stolen bases for Xavier University in 2026. Holcomb is a ridiculously athletic outfielder who had a 1.055 OPS and 14 home runs for Vanderbilt last season. He's just 21 years old.

With draft picks being assigned to affiliates, the organization is bound to experience a shakeup. The White Sox have already promoted several of their key prospects over the last week, and the arrival of the 2026 draft class gives White Sox fans one more reason to keep a close eye on the minor league box scores.

It was then announced on Saturday that Roch Cholowsky would be headed to join the High-A Winston-Salem Dash. Thome is still Arizona working at the Bridge League.

Cholowsky is set to make his professions debut new week.. During his interview on the White Sox CHSN broadcast following the draft, he expressed interest in playing games with an affiliate as quickly as possible.