The 2026 MLB Draft got underway on Saturday, and it got off with a real bang.
And by that, I mean MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred goofed up the first overall pick’s name.
The Chicago White Sox had the first overall pick in this year’s draft, and they used it to select UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky.
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However, Manfred read the star shortstop’s name as “Cho-LOO-skee,” which wouldn’t be a problem if that’s how it’s pronounced.
But it isn’t. It’s “Chill-OW-skee.”
UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky was the first to hear his name (or something pretty close to it) called at this year’s MLB Draft in Philadelphia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Now, in Manfred’s defense — which might be the first time that phrase has ever been written out — names aren’t easy. Athlete names can be especially tricky.
There just aren’t many John Smiths or Jeff Johnsons out there these days.
So, I get it… kind of.
As is the case for most drafts, there are some players expected to go in the first few picks, and Cholowsky was one of the frontrunners.
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It’s unreasonable to expect picture-perfect pronunciation of every name called during the draft, but getting the three to five players expected to go at the top right doesn’t seem like too much to ask.
If I had to do that, I would be practicing those names like crazy. I’d be able to say those names forward and backward in my sleep.
It was a tough start to the MLB Draft for Commissioner Rob Manfred when he butchered first-overall pick Roch Cholowsky’s name. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Of course, the gravity of the moment would probably lead to me messing them up anyway, but dammit, I’d give it the ol’ college try.
What’s interesting is that this is the second straight major pro draft that led off with an awkward first-overall pick.
Manfred muffed this one, and back at the NHL Draft in June, Justin Bieber clearly skipped the run-through when he decided to go freestyle while announcing that the Toronto Maple Leafs were taking Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick.
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Alright, sports world, we’re playing it a little fast and loose with these draft announcements.
Let’s not skip practice, alright?
