Sheets was mentioned by manager Tony La Russa as a possible candidate for the designated hitter spot this season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Andrew Vaughn is thought to be the favorite for the job, but Sheets has a solid minor-league resume himself and is on the 40-man roster. The canceled minors season last year prevented him from continuing his climb up the ladder, but he hit .267/.345/.414 with 16 homers in 126 games for Double-A Birmingham in 2019.

Sheets worked as an outfielder during instructional league in Arizona last fall, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sheets, a left-handed-hitting first baseman, decided to add outfield to his resume after being left off the White Sox's alternate training camp during the 2020 season. He became motivated by the team's decision to work on his overall game. He shed 15 pounds and learned the nuances of outfield play, getting assistance from his father, Larry, who played outfield during an eight-year career in the majors. Sheets, who last played for Doulbe-A Birmingham in 2019, is expected to be assigned to Triple-A Charlotte.

Sheets' contract was purchased by the White Sox on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

While Sheets appears to be blocked internally at first base by Jose Abreu and Andrew Vaughn, Chicago has a pretty shallow farm system, so it made sense to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He should get an invite to big-league spring training for the second year in a row before being assigned to Triple-A.

Sheets is batting .200 (4-for-20) with a walk, an RBI and three runs scored over 20 spring at-bats.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to 2019, Sheets was on a path to be the White Sox's first baseman after Jose Abreu was out of the picture, but that changed when Chicago made Andrew Vaughn its first-round pick (third overall) in the 2019 draft. The selection of Vaughn, who is near-MLB ready, pushes Sheets further down the organizational depth chart. With that in mind, the White Sox could flip him this season for a needed piece at the trade deadline, if they are in a position to compete for the postseason.

Sheets will join the White Sox's big-league camp this spring, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sheets is climbing up the minor league ranks as a highly-rated prospect, but he may need a bit more time before he's called upon to make his major-league debut. The White Sox second-round pick in the 2017 draft slashed .267/.345/.414 with 16 home runs and 83 RBI in 464 at-bats for Double-A Birmingham last season.

Sheets (foot) went 0-for-4 with a walk Saturday for High-A Winston-Salem in his return from the 7-day disabled list.

EDGE Analysis

Sheets missed a little over a week with the foot injury before rejoining the Winston-Salem lineup. Now healthy, the 22-year-old will aim to tap into more power after posting an underwhelming .365 slugging percentage for Low-A Kannapolis in 2017 and a .372 mark in the Carolina League so far this season.

Sheets was placed on the 7-day disabled list with a left foot strain, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sheets isn't expected to miss a significant amount of time with the injury. He's slashing .263/.372/.381 with two home runs and 23 RBI through 45 games with High-A Winston-Salem.