Chicago White Sox Rookie Pulls Sheets Off MLB Debut

By: Will Farlow

The special moment no major league baseball player forgets is their debut game in the major leagues. Whether it is a pitcher getting his first MLB strikeout, or a batter getting his first at-bat with a walk or hit. These are moments each rookie within the MLB’s storied history that stays with them forever. That is the case tonight for White Sox prospect Gavin Sheets as he made his major league debut tonight in right field against the visiting Minnesota Twins.

It took Gavin Sheets just two pitches to pick up his first @MLB hit. pic.twitter.com/HQGcJCyDka

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 30, 2021

Gavin Sheets went up for his first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning with a 1-0 count hitting the ball into left field for a single. Sheets followed in his father Larry Sheets’ footsteps who also hit a single back on his MLB debut at-bat back in 1984. The White Sox rookie right fielder hit 2-4 in his major league debut totaling two hits, two RBIs, and solid defense in right field for the Southsiders. 

Gavin Sheets is the first #WhiteSox player with multiple hits & RBI in an MLB debut since Craig Wilson on September 5, 1998

— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) June 30, 2021

I like this prospect for Chicago as a player that moved to a different position for the opportunity to make it to the big leagues along with helping his team. The White Sox should have brought him up sooner in my opinion given the hole in the right field due to both injuries and inconsistency. Sheets hit very well throughout the White Sox farm system and were due to come up to the majors. This development should bring excitement to this White Sox fanbase with hopes for a possible World Series championship. I admire how this young man is another infielder converting to an outfield position, and playing better than some other skilled outfielders in the league. 

La Russa on Gavin Sheets, who was 2-for-4, 2 RBI in MLB debut: “To see the smile on his face and the joy he brought to his teammates, it was a special day. He’s got a chance to be a productive major-league hitter.”

— Scot Gregor (@scotgregor) June 30, 2021

Baseball throughout history has shown us that strong play, and passion for it contributes to good play on the field. Gavin Sheets the 2017 second-round White Sox Draft pick has shown his new teammates they can depend on him in-game situations. As Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert are long-term plugs for left and center field, Sheets has an opportunity to play for the long-term open right-field position. Congratulations to Gavin Sheets for a great major league debut with his first career hits, and a bright future in his White Sox career.