Gavin Sheets Drafted 49th by the Chicago White Sox

Powerful first baseman Gavin Sheets was picked up in the 2nd round of the MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox with the 49th overall pick of the 2017 MLB Draft. Sheets, a prospect who shot up the draft boards on the back of an incredible junior campaign, was named a third-team All American by both Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball.

Sheets was a top five power hitter in the nation over the course of the season, raking in a ridiculous 21 home runs and 84 RBI’s on the back of a three-run bomb in the first inning of game two of the Gainesville Super Regional, a matchup the Wake Forest Demon Deacons would win in walk off fashion 8-6 in the 11th inning.

Sheets hit .317/.428/.626 entering Monday’s contests in Gainesville and flashed an impressive glove at first base throughout the season. His size, at 6’5” 235, was a daunting matchup for even the country’s most impressive pitchers and his ability to draw walks and avoid the strikeout made him a difficult cleanup hitter, particularly one batter after fellow draft pick Stuart Fairchild.

Sheets, like all other players making the jump, will work on the transition to the wooden bats but with an eye like Sheets I expect that he could work his way up through the minors faster than many other prospects in his position.

Congratulations to Gavin Sheets who, like Stuart Fairchild, has been an incredibly exciting player to watch during his three years as a Diamond Deac. This junior class helped spearhead an amazing campaign over the past two years, making the NCAA Tournament in back to back seasons, hosting a regional this season, and advancing to the Super Regionals for the first time since 1999. We’re proud of you Gavin and you’re a Demon Deacon for life.