The 2026 MLB regular season is nearly at its end, and the race for the Postseason is entering its final stretch. In the American League, there’s a lot on the line. With two divisions and a Wild Card spot still undecided, the final six games are going to be a big deal. In the National League, it’s a lot more straightforward, largely due to an incredible recent run by the San Diego Padres in which they’ve won 13 of their last 14 games. At the heart of the Postseason push for San Diego are three players that White Sox fans will recognize.
IF/OF Gavin Sheets
A former second-round pick of the White Sox, the 30-year-old Sheets is in his second season with San Diego after being non-tendered by the White Sox prior to 2025. He always showed flashes during his White Sox tenure but never fully established himself as a big league mainstay. Coming off a 2025 season where he posted a career-best .746 ERA and hit 19 home runs, Sheets earned a share of playing time this year. Sheets began the year well, hitting .264 with four home runs in April, including a two-homer game and a walk-off home run against the Rockies on April 10th. A rough July and August hurt his overall numbers, and he’s now hitting just .211 with a .701 OPS. Sheets hasn’t played since August 29th and was placed on the injured list on August 30th with a foot sprain, but the Padres hope to have him back for the Postseason. He’s not going to win any batting awards, but Sheets can provide a solid left-handed power presence in a lineup, and he’ll be key to the Padres chances in October.
OF/DH Austin Hays
The White Sox were desperately searching for outfield depth this offseason after trading away Luis Robert Jr, and they settled on former Orioles All-Star Austin Hays to fill that role. Known for his steady offensive presence but scary injury history, Hays figured to be a regular in the White Sox lineup at the outset of the season. Unfortunately, his White Sox tenure lasted just 12 games as multiple injuries derailed his season. With Hays ready to return at the beginning of August, the White Sox simply didn’t have a roster spot for him due to the success of Randal Grichuk, and the team designated Hays for assignment on August 7th. The Padres scooped him up just two days later, and he’s posted a solid .788 OPS in 21 games with San Diego. While Hays is mostly a part-time player for San Diego, his contributions have been important to their success, and he’ll bring valuable experience to them in the Postseason.
Welcome to San Diego, Austin Hays!
— MLB (@MLB) August 10, 2026
His first homer with the @Padres 💪 pic.twitter.com/Iuulw4bZaQ
OF Dustin Harris
If you’re planning to complete the Sporcle quiz at the end of the season to name every player that played for the 2026 White Sox, this might be a difficult one. But Dustin Harris will be on that list. Harris signed a minor league deal with the White Sox in the offseason, and a pair of outfield injuries early in the season led to his promotion in April. In just six games, Harris went 3-for-12 with an RBI and four walks, good for a .771 OPS. The White Sox designated him for assignment and he joined the Astros, where he posted a .576 OPS in 11 games before joining the White Sox organization for the second time this year. After another release from the White Sox organization, Harris joined the Padres on a minor league deal and joined the big league roster on August 24th. In 22 games since his promotion, he’s taken his game to another level, hitting .353 with an .840 OPS. Harris has emerged as an everyday player for San Diego down the stretch and should get a significant amount of playing time in October.
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