Manfred Mispronounces No. 1 Pick Roch Cholowsky at 2026 MLB Draft

Q: Will a botched name announcement overshadow the #1 draft pick's historic moment?

Probably not beyond the short term. Rob Manfred’s mispronunciation of Roch Cholowsky’s name was an avoidable mistake, and it briefly shifted attention from the player to the commissioner. It drew immediate criticism because Cholowsky had reportedly provided MLB with the correct pronunciation in advance, and UCLA’s media materials also reflected it. For a No. 1 overall pick, accuracy is a basic expectation, so the backlash is understandable. But the larger story remains Cholowsky’s achievement. He was widely viewed as one of the strongest draft prospects in years, a polished UCLA shortstop with All-Star upside and a chance to reach the majors quickly. His selection is historically significant: he became the White Sox’s first No. 1 overall pick since Harold Baines in 1977 and joined a very small group of college shortstops and UCLA players to go first overall. The evidence so far suggests the blunder is more damaging to MLB’s presentation than to Cholowsky’s legacy. Social media will remember the awkward clip, and Cholowsky may always associate the moment with an unnecessary cringe. But his draft status, talent, and expected path to the majors are the facts most likely to define how this day is remembered. So the botched announcement partially overshadowed the moment in real time, but it is unlikely to outweigh the significance of Cholowsky becoming the top pick. If anything, it adds pressure on MLB to better prepare future draft announcements.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 11

Rob Manfred opened the 2026 MLB Draft by reading first overall pick Roch Cholowsky’s surname as “Cho-LOO-skee” instead of “Chill-OW-skee” after the White Sox selected the UCLA shortstop.
The flub stood out because Cholowsky was widely projected near the top of the draft, making his name one of the likeliest to be rehearsed before the announcement in Philadelphia.
Chicago used the No. 1 pick on Cholowsky as Saturday’s draft began, turning the commissioner’s mistake into the event’s first viral moment rather than the player’s selection itself.
The awkward start also echoed another recent draft gaffe: the June NHL Draft, where Justin Bieber’s first-overall announcement for Gavin McKenna drew attention for its improvised delivery.