San Diego Padres Sign Former Top Prospect

The San Diego Padres have signed first baseman and outfielder Gavin Sheets to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league spring training.

Sheets, 28, became a free agent after being non-tendered by the Chicago White Sox earlier this offseason. A second-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, he showed promise as a rookie in 2021, hitting 11 home runs with an .830 OPS in just 54 games.

However, his production declined over the next three seasons, posting a .230/.295/.385 slash line with 46 home runs and 175 RBIs across 435 career games.

While he struggled offensively, he ranked in the 79th percentile in arm strength last season and offers defensive versatility at first base and the corner outfield spots.

Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets in agreement with the San Diego Padres on a minor-league contract, sources say. Sheets gets an invite to spring training.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 9, 2025

The Padres have been busy in recent days, signing outfielder Connor Joe and reportedly agreeing to a deal with veteran Jason Heyward.

While the team has addressed its outfield depth, there are still questions at first base and designated hitter following the departures of Jurickson Profar and Ha-Seong Kim. Sheets will compete for a bench role in spring training, potentially sharing time with Luis Arraez at first base or DH.

"Given the way Sheets has played lately, that’s a huge ‘if,’" MLB Trade Rumors’ Leo Morgenstern noted. "Then again, it’s not as if San Diego currently has a glut of better options."

Gavin Sheets big dude with 70 grade raw power but in game power is inconsistent. Career K% and whiff% are better than league avg so maybe he’s not taking enough chances? Has played LF, RF, 1B albeit not well. This is dumpster diving 101. Anyways here’s him hitting a 447 ft homer. https://t.co/IlkSRw7aoM pic.twitter.com/LDIXUFWTSA
— Giannis Auntiegotapoodle (@TooMuchMortons_) February 9, 2025