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The White Sox and Rays -- 2 division leaders -- also had the top 2 picks in baseball's draft
By NOAH TRISTER, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 13, 2026
· 1 min read
The Chicago White Sox took shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first pick of the amateur draft this past weekend, and Tampa Bay selected shortstop Grady Emerson one spot later. Yes, both those teams are currently in first place. Pro drafts — even those with lotteries — generally start with some of ...
Key takeaway Yes, both those teams are currently in first place.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The Valley's own baseball fans are likely intrigued by the unusual twist in this year's amateur draft, where two division leaders, the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, secured the top picks. This anomaly has local implications, as the Rio Grande Valley is home to a thriving baseball community, with many young players aspiring to join the ranks of professional teams. The selection of shortstops Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson by the White Sox and Rays, respectively, may inspire Valley youth to work towards their own baseball dreams. Moreover, the Valley's proximity to the Mexican border and its rich baseball culture may also draw interest from scouts and teams looking for fresh talent, potentially opening doors for local players to be discovered and drafted in the future. This unexpected draft outcome may have a ripple effect, influencing the local baseball scene and sparking renewed interest in the sport among Valley residents.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Chicago White Sox took shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first pick of the amateur draft this past weekend, and Tampa Bay selected shortstop Grady Emerson one spot later. Yes, both those teams are currently in first place. Pro drafts — even those with lotteries — generally start with some of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by NOAH TRISTER, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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