White Sox prospect Sheets studying greats

CHICAGO -- Nelson Cruz might actually have a small role in Gavin Sheets reaching the Majors, even though Cruz has no idea of his assistance and the two play for rival American League Central organizations.

In a further push to improve his game, trying to make his swing cleaner and with less movement, Sheets, the No. 9 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline, studied some hitters with White Sox hitting coach Frank Menechino during Spring Training and tried to put together things that would work for the first baseman/outfielder. Cruz, the Twins’ slugging designated hitter at 40, was one of those hitters viewed.

“He’s an extremely simple hitter the way he does things and obviously extremely powerful,” Sheets told MLB.com of Cruz during a phone interview Monday, prior to Triple-A Charlotte embarking on its road trip. “That’s a guy Frank and I watched a lot of video on together, although he’s a right-handed hitter. He’s just an incredible hitter to watch. I think he’s a great guy to learn from.”

Cruz knocked out his 10th home run of the season and 427th career blast during a 2-1 White Sox victory over the Twins Wednesday afternoon. In fact, Cruz had the Twins' only two hits off Lucas Giolito.

Meanwhile, Sheets, 25, is taking care of business with Charlotte. He has hit in 12 of 14 games with a nine-game hitting streak coming to an end Wednesday in Durham. The organization’s second-round selection in the 2017 Draft has a slash line of .328/.371/.552 to go with three home runs, four doubles and 13 RBIs.

Sheets showed these positive signs with the bat during Spring Training, earning notice on a couple of occasions from White Sox manager Tony La Russa. But all this developmental work has become a by-product of Sheets’ overall learning process during his years in the game.

“It’s kind of happened over time,” Sheets said. “In [Class A Advanced] Winston Salem [in 2018], I learned how to hit and how to be a complete hitter. In [Double-A] Birmingham [in 2019], I added power back to my game that I had in college. Then I think this year it’s putting it all together. It’s being able to be a complete hitter but also hitting for power.

“This is the first year of my pro career where I’ve come out swinging the bat well right from the get-go. It definitely keeps you from pressing at the plate. Obviously hitting a home run the first night of the season takes off a big weight. Then you can just kind of go from there.”

Being considered a complete hitter first is Sheets’ preference, but he readily admits how hitting for power needs to be a part of his game. Sheets’ study sessions with Menechino also included watching video of Jim Thome, which makes sense for the left-handed-hitting Sheets to view the approach featured by the Hall of Fame left-handed slugger with 612 career homers and a .956 OPS. Those study sessions eventually went live, with Thome, a special assistant to the White Sox general manager, working 1-on-1 with Sheets and in groups during their time in Arizona.

Describing Thome as “incredibly approachable,” Sheets spoke of drills Thome would employ during Spring Training.

“He just wants to be a part of it. He wants to be a big part of what we are doing,” said Sheets of Thome. “He loves working with guys.

“I couldn’t thank him enough for the way he pulled me aside and took me under his wing and pulled me on the back fields and worked with me day in and day out. He just wants to help in any way. And he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. His credentials speak for themselves.”

If these current statistical credentials for Sheets continue to play out, he could join the White Sox. But as part of those overall baseball lessons processed, it’s not a goal Sheets fixates upon above his daily work.

“At the end of the day, no matter how many times I want to be ready or say I’m ready, it’s not up to me,” Sheets said. “All I can do is continue to play well and just force my way up there.

“Until that time, I’m just going to focus on what’s going here and focus on what’s going on in the field. … You can only control what you can control. That’s been the biggest motto I’ve had. Everything else will take care of itself.”