High Five: Chicago’s top No. 1 overall draft picks

When the White Sox selected UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick in Saturday’s MLB Draft, he became part of select company.

Only a handful of athletes have been taken first by Chicago’s major pro sports teams through the decades, although it’s happened three times in the last four years. So, yeah, our teams haven’t been great lately.

But who are the best of the No. 1 picks? Keep in mind most of Chicago’s all-time top athletes, including Michael Jordan, either weren’t picked No. 1 or weren’t drafted at all.

This edition of the High Five breaks it down.

5. Shawon Dunston, Cubs

Dunston, the Cubs’ only No. 1, never quite reached the stratosphere of his hype after being drafted out of high school in 1982 and eventually pairing at shortstop with Hall-of-Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.

Still, Dunston locked down the starting job in 1985 with a rocket arm and perpetual hope epitomized in fans’ “Shawn-O-Meter” sign that tracked his batting average. He played 11 seasons in Chicago, earning two All-Star nods and helping the Cubs to the NL East division title in 1989.

4. Caleb Williams, Bears

Drafted out of USC in 2024, Williams may end his career at the top of this list. At least that’s what Bears fans hope.

For now, only two seasons into his NFL career, he’s still got plenty to accomplish.

The quarterback’s first season with the Bears was a borderline waste because of a disastrous coaching situation. The head coach and offensive coordinator were fired, and the backup OC became the interim head coach. That left Williams with little to no guidance as a rookie.

But with quarterback guru Ben Johnson taking the reins last season, Williams shined and led the Bears to the playoffs with miraculous efforts. Few will forget his play late in the 31-27 win over Green Bay in the wildcard round.

3. Derrick Rose, Bulls

What might have been if Rose hadn’t suffered devastating knee injuries in his prime? As it was, though, the top pick of the 2008 draft out of Simeon and Memphis was spectacular when healthy in the Bulls’ backcourt.

Rose became the youngest Most Valuable Player in NBA history in 2011, earning the honor in just his third season as the Bulls won 62 games and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. He averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists.

Rose played seven seasons in Chicago before bouncing around the next eight years and retiring in 2024.

2. Harold Baines, White Sox

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, Baines was drafted in 1977 with a $32,000 signing bonus. Talk about bang for the buck.

Baines spent nine-plus seasons on the South Side, returning later in his 22-year career and retiring with the Sox in 2001. The right fielder launched 384 home runs with 1,628 RBI, and finished with a .289 batting average and .820 OPS.

As a coach with the White Sox in 2005, Baines earned a much-deserved World Series ring.

1. Patrick Kane, Blackhawks

Who else could be No. 1 of the No. 1’s?

Kane, a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame after he retires, was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2007 and immediately became a franchise cornerstone.

Kane helped lead the Hawks to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015, earning nine All-Star honors in 15-plus seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers.

Kane has 508 goals and 892 assists heading into his 20th NHL season. Might the free-agent winger make a return to the Blackhawks?