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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

Gavin Sheets’ 2025 season was one of the most successful "revenge" campaigns in baseball. After being non-tendered by the White Sox following a dismal 2024, Sheets signed a minor-league deal with the San Diego Padres and forced his way into a central role. He thrived in the Southern California sun, slashing .252/.317/.429 with 19 home runs and 71 RBI across 145 games. While he was primarily used as a strong-side platoon bat, his 111 wRC+ proved he belonged in the heart of a contender's lineup. His season was nearly derailed on June 1, 2025, by a violent collision with the Petco Park wall that resulted in a head contusion and hip soreness, but he remarkably avoided the IL and returned within days to continue his breakout.

Entering 2026, the 29-year-old has officially traded his "journeyman" status for a starting role. In January, Sheets avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $4.5 million contract with San Diego. While he spent much of last year in left field and at DH, manager Craig Stammen announced this spring that Sheets enters camp as the primary first baseman. The shift back to his natural position is intended to stabilize the infield while allowing the Padres to keep his left-handed power in the lineup daily. 

For fantasy managers, Sheets is a high-value "late-round power source" with an ADP around 362.