5 designated hitter possibilities for Chicago White Sox

Gavin Sheets

The Chicago White Sox should be all-in on Gavin Sheets as a full-time employee.

If the White Sox opts for a platoon system with Andrew Vaughn, then Gavin Sheets may be the man for the job. Sheets burst onto the scene in 2021 and excelled with the White Sox.

In his first game in the majors, he became the first White Sox player since Craig Wilson in 1998 to have multiple hits and RBIs in his Major League debut. One game later, he launched his first of 11 home runs he would hit in just 54 games.

Sheets quickly gained the confidence of Tony La Russa who penciled him into the lineup more frequently as the season progressed. When it was all said and done, Sheets hit .250 with 34 RBIs, a .506 slugging percentage, and a .830 OPS.

The rookie even carved out a spot on the postseason roster, which came as a surprise to many. Sheets didn’t disappoint in the ALDS either. He was one of the few right spots for the White Sox offense, batting .333 with one home run, one RBI, and a 1.000 OPS.

What Sheets brings to the table is a left-handed power bat that the White Sox desperately needed. At 6’5″ 230 lbs, he is even built like a DH. However, with such a small sample size it is fair to wonder if pitchers will adjust to him.

His splits against left-handed pitching are also not promising. He hit .111 against lefties with no home runs and just two hits. Sheets lacks the defense to play right field so his easiest route to a roster spot is at designated hitter. Platooning with Andrew Vaughn would be awesome.