Gavin Sheets Bio
Gavin Crawford Sheets (born April 23, 1996) is an American professional baseball player who has appeared in Major League Baseball for both the Chicago White Sox and the San Diego Padres. A left fielder and first baseman, he made his MLB debut in 2021 and has compiled a career batting average of .236 with 78 home runs and 281 RBIs through June 28, 2026. Sheets was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft after a standout college career at Wake Forest University.
Early Life and Background
Gavin Crawford Sheets grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Gilman School, a private preparatory school known for producing competitive baseball players. His baseball lineage runs deep in his family, as he is the son of former Major League Baseball outfielder Larry Sheets, who played several seasons in the majors. This family connection provided Sheets with early exposure to professional baseball and shaped his development as an athlete from a young age.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his high school career, Sheets enrolled at Wake Forest University, where he played college baseball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. In his junior season during 2017, Sheets established himself as one of the top hitters in college baseball, posting a .317 batting average with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs in just 63 games. His exceptional performance earned him All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. Prior to his junior year, he also played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2016, widely regarded as one of the premier summer leagues for college players. Sheets was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2014 MLB Draft but did not sign, choosing instead to continue his development at the collegiate level.
Gavin Sheets Career
Minor League Development (2017–2020)
The Chicago White Sox selected Sheets in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, using the 49th overall pick. He signed with the organization shortly after being drafted and received a $2 million signing bonus. Sheets began his professional career with the Arizona White Sox of the Rookie-level Arizona League before being promoted to the Kannapolis Intimidators of the Single-A South Atlantic League. He combined to hit .279 with four home runs and 28 RBIs across 56 professional games in his debut season.
In 2018, Sheets advanced to the Winston-Salem Dash of the High-A Carolina League and continued his upward trajectory. He posted a .293 batting average with a .368 on-base percentage and .407 slugging percentage, adding six home runs and 61 RBIs in 119 games. The following season in 2019, he moved up to the Double-A Birmingham Barons of the Southern League and delivered another strong performance, hitting .267 with 16 home runs and 83 RBIs over 126 games. His consistent minor league production positioned him as a rising prospect within the White Sox organization.
Chicago White Sox (2021–2024)
Sheets was added to the White Sox 40-man roster on November 20, 2020, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. He began the 2021 season with the Charlotte Knights of Triple-A before receiving his first major league call-up on June 3. Though he did not appear in a game during that initial stint, he was promoted again on June 29 and made his MLB debut that same day against the Minnesota Twins. In his debut game, Sheets recorded his first major league hit (a single), first RBI, first extra-base hit, and first run scored, all against Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda. The very next day, he hit his first major league home run, accomplishing the feat against Matt Shoemaker.
Sheets continued to make an impact during his rookie season. On July 19, during the second game of a doubleheader, he delivered his first career walk-off hit, smashing a three-run home run off José Berríos to give the White Sox a 5-3 victory. Overall in 2021, he appeared in 54 games and posted a .250 batting average with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs. The White Sox included him on their postseason roster, and he made his playoff debut in Game 1 against the Houston Astros, going 0-for-4 at the plate. In Game 4, Sheets hit his first postseason home run, a solo shot off Lance McCullers Jr., but the White Sox lost 10-1 and were eliminated from the postseason.
Sheets spent the following seasons with the White Sox, though his offensive production declined. In 2023, he batted .203 with a .267 on-base percentage and .331 slugging percentage across 311 at-bats. He struggled significantly against left-handed pitching that season. In 2024, he appeared in 139 games and slashed .233/.303/.357 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI. Following the season, the White Sox non-tendered Sheets on November 22, making him a free agent.
San Diego Padres (2025–Present)
On February 9, 2025, Sheets signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He impressed the organization during spring training, earning a spot on the Opening Day roster when the Padres selected his contract on March 20. In his very first at-bat as a Padre, Sheets hit a solo home run off Atlanta Braves pitcher Héctor Neris, providing an immediate highlight in his new uniform. This moment symbolized a fresh start for Sheets as he joined a competitive Padres lineup.
Defensive Versatility
Throughout his professional career, Sheets has displayed versatility across positions. While primarily a first baseman, he has also gained valuable experience in the outfield, particularly after beginning to play left field during his time with Charlotte in 2021. This defensive flexibility has allowed him to contribute in various roles and adapt to lineup needs depending on matchups and game situations.
Family Legacy
Gavin Sheets comes from a baseball family as the son of former MLB outfielder Larry Sheets. This family legacy has influenced his development and approach to the game from a young age. Off the field, Sheets is married to Kahla Sheets, and together they have one daughter. He has publicly identified as a Christian.
Gavin Sheets Career Statistics
Sheets has built a solid MLB career since debuting in 2021, accumulating 78 home runs and 281 RBIs across parts of five seasons with two franchises. His professional career has been marked by flashes of offensive potential and the ability to deliver in clutch situations, as evidenced by his rookie-season walk-off home run.
Notable Achievements
The White Sox selected Sheets in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft after a standout junior season at Wake Forest in which he hit .317 with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. In his MLB debut season of 2021, he made an immediate impact by hitting 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in 54 games while also contributing a home run during the White Sox postseason run. His walk-off three-run home run against José Berríos remains one of the memorable moments of his early career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new chapter for Sheets as he joined the San Diego Padres organization. After signing a minor league contract in February and making the Opening Day roster following spring training, Sheets wasted no time making an impression. His solo home run in his first at-bat as a Padre on Opening Day set a positive tone for his season. The move to San Diego provided Sheets with an opportunity to revitalize his career with a franchise known for its competitive roster and passionate fan base. Playing in the National League West division against opponents like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants offers Sheets fresh challenges and matchups as he continues his professional journey in Major League Baseball.