The Chicago White Sox secured the top overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft with the best odds of 27.73% during Tuesday’s lottery at the Winter Meetings in Orlando. This marks their first No. 1 pick since selecting Hall of Famer Harold Baines in 1977, and it’s only their third time holding the top pick, with Danny Goodwin previously chosen first in 1971. White Sox GM Chris Getz expressed that winning the lottery is a significant opportunity to strengthen the team, calling it both an honor and a major responsibility.
The draft lottery, introduced through the current collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLBPA, was created to discourage tanking and promote competitive balance. Eighteen teams that did not make the postseason participated, with worse teams given better odds. The first six picks are decided by the lottery, featuring the White Sox (27.73%), Twins (22.18%), Pirates (16.81%), Rays (3.03%), Giants (1.01%), and Royals (0.84%). Picks 7 through 18 go to other non-playoff teams based on reverse standings order, while picks 19 to 30 are assigned to postseason teams according to their playoff results. The draft will take place in Philadelphia during the All-Star break next summer, with UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowski as an early favorite for the No. 1 selection.
Here is the complete first-round order for the 2026 MLB Draft: White Sox, Rays, Twins, Giants, Pirates, Royals, Orioles, Athletics, Braves, Rockies, Nationals, Angels, Cardinals, Marlins, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Astros, Reds, Guardians, Red Sox, Padres, Tigers, Cubs, Mariners, Brewers, Braves (Prospect Promotion Incentive Pick), and Mets. Due to competitive balance tax penalties, the Blue Jays, , Phillies, and Yankees had their top picks moved back 10 spots and lost first-round status.
Notable winners in the lottery include the White Sox, who secured the top pick to boost their rebuilding efforts, and the Rays, who jumped from seventh to second, improving their draft position significantly since 2008. The Giants and Royals also moved up into the top six despite lower initial odds. Conversely, the Rockies, despite having the worst record in 2025, were ineligible for the top pick because of lottery participation rules, settling for the tenth pick. The Cardinals fell five spots, moving from eighth to 13th, which could impact their draft advantage early on.
This first-round order only applies to the opening round; the second round will see a reverse ranking, starting with the Rockies, followed by the White Sox, and others.
Fan Take: This lottery result is a pivotal moment for fans as it signals a renewed hope for struggling teams like the White Sox and Rays to reshape their future through fresh talent. The draft lottery system itself is crucial for maintaining fairness and excitement in the league, discouraging teams from deliberately losing and ensuring more balanced competition across MLB.
