Gavin Sheets

Players normally have breakout seasons in their third full year at the big league level, but apparently Sheets decided to flip that script. Sheets had a strong breakout rookie season in 2021, but has backslid each of the past two seasons to what was just an absolutely dismal 2023 campaign at the plate. The biggest challenge to his success is opposing pitchers figured out last season that he could be challenged with fastballs and they fed him a steady diet of them as he hit .205 off fastballs while slugging .366 off them. Those numbers are not suitable for a backup catcher let alone a corner outfielder/first base/DH type like Sheets. A poor first half (.220/.298/.374) gave way to an abysmal second half (.178/.223/.271) but Chicago continued to put him out there against righties. 2024 could see Sheets go back to the minors as he does have an option remaining so a resumption of his 2023 role is not guaranteed. He needs to flip the script right side up. Read Past Outlooks