Gavin Sheets' walk-off home run could further cement his every day role with Padres

Gavin Sheets was already having a solid spring training with the San Diego Padres. In his first year with the Friars, the 28-year-old is fighting for a spot in the starting lineup - whether that's time at first base, in left field, or at DH - but he is confident in finding a consistent role.

On Tuesday at Peoria Stadium, Sheets was facing his former team. Opposing the White Sox, he didn't start the game, but he sure did leave his mark. Batting 3-for-3 with three RBIs, Sheets mashed two home runs, including a walk-off two-run moonshot on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Gavin Sheets continues to tear it up with Padres in spring training

Sheets now has five home runs this spring, which is tied for the most among all National League players, doing so across 14 games. He has now gone deep in four consecutive contests, driving in eight runs during this span.

Both home runs on Tuesday were crushed, going 417 and 416 feet, respectively. Sheets showed some versatility, too, taking a left-hander deep on an inside pitch, followed by homering against a right-hander on a fastball upstairs.

Sheets is not historically a home run hitter, registering 46 total in the last four seasons. However, in a new uniform with something to prove, Sheets might be tapping into a tool that has not been present for quite some time. He has lacked power, but in his final season at Wake Forest back in 2017, he crushed 21 home runs. Ideally, this home run brigade has resurfaced for Sheets and will continue into the regular season.

If that's the case, then the Padres must start him every day. In a lineup loaded with power from Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill, adding Sheets into the muscular mix would surely help this club get over the top. Finding any sort of help from role players will be what makes or breaks the Friars in 2025, which is a season that will likely be dominated by their NL West rivals in the Los Angeles Dodgers. So, San Diego will take any extra help that they can get.

If Gavin Sheets, who was signed to a minor league deal this winter, is that uncovered gem he is showing himself to be, then he may have hit his way into the starting lineup. AJ Preller would look like a genius if this deal pans out.