Sheets powering up -- and buying in -- with Padres

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Just before Spring Training, as the Padres neared a deal with lefty slugger Gavin Sheets, manager Mike Shildt made a phone call to a mutual connection: Tony La Russa.

Sheets had played for La Russa with the White Sox during his two best seasons as a big leaguer in 2021 and ¡®22. In speaking with Shildt, La Russa mentioned Chicago¡¯s AL Central title run in ¡®21 and the crucial role Sheets played.

¡°He said: ¡®You can win with this guy,¡¯¡± Shildt recalled. ¡°That¡¯s all I needed to know from a guy that¡¯s won the second-most games of anyone to ever manage. That was enough to sign off on it for me.¡±

A month later, Sheets is mashing his way toward a spot on San Diego's Opening Day roster -- and perhaps even the starting lineup. A non-roster invitee on a Minor League deal, Sheets has posted a 1.051 OPS through 14 Cactus League games.

He entered play Wednesday with a homer in each of his last three games. Then, Sheets one-upped himself by hitting two against his former club on Tuesday -- including a majestic walk-off two-run blast, as the Padres beat the White Sox, 7-5. It¡¯s only Spring Training, sure. But ...

¡°Those always feel good,¡± Sheets said of his walk-off home run.

This particular walk-off blast might just have sealed Sheets¡¯ place on the Opening Day roster. There are still two weeks remaining until those decisions must be made, and the Padres have a number of players in contention for three available non-catcher position-player spots. But there¡¯s a clear need for a hitter like Sheets -- a left-handed power threat off the bench.

Presumably, he could earn starts at DH against right-handed pitching. He¡¯s also an experienced pinch-hitter, with solid numbers in high-leverage situations. Sheets went 4-for-12 with a homer and a double in his lone postseason appearance in 2021. His .786 OPS in high-leverage situations is higher than his career mark (.680) by more than 100 points.

Across his four seasons with the White Sox, Sheets filled a number of roles -- valuable experience, considering he knew when he signed that he probably wasn¡¯t destined to be an everyday starter in San Diego.

¡°You embrace it,¡± Sheets said. ¡°That¡¯s the No. 1 thing. You have to embrace it. Whether it¡¯s platooning against right-handed pitchers or DHing, playing first some, pinch-hitting, whatever it may be. You just embrace the role. You embrace it. You make the most of it. You be the best you can be at that spot.¡±

Sheets¡¯ potential as a masher is obvious. He hasn¡¯t tapped into it over the past couple years, however. In 2023 and ¡®24, he combined to slash just .220/.289/.346 in 845 plate appearances with the White Sox.

As such, Sheets arrived in Peoria open-minded, eager to let the Padres dissect his swing and his approach -- and work to harness the offensive skill set he clearly has.

¡°The exciting thing about getting into a new organization is you get new thoughts,¡± Sheets said. ¡°Getting to work with the guys here, they¡¯ve been awesome. They¡¯ve had a game plan for me, with what they¡¯ve seen over the past, that they think can take me to the next level and be an impact player. I¡¯m just buying in.¡±

As always, take Cactus League results with a grain of salt. But Sheets¡¯ effort on Tuesday was a prime example that the buy-in has been working. He came off the bench and pounded out two homers and a line-drive single. All three left his bat at 106 mph or harder.

What, specifically, has Sheets altered this spring?

¡°I¡¯m just getting into a better launch position, being more athletic with my swing and body and trying to get my body in a position to get my A-swing off on every swing,¡± Sheets said. ¡°That¡¯s obviously what I¡¯ve been able to do the last couple games. I¡¯m excited about the changes.¡±

So are the Padres. And based on the early results, they clearly should be.