Eric Thames – Season in Review
Milwaukee, W.I. ~ Last season Eric Thames was the primary first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers. After a dominant first month in Milwaukee in which he hit a Brewers record 11 homeruns in April, Thames struggled at the plate with discipline and contact but he picked it up in September to almost guide the Brewers to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Even with Thames struggles in the mid-season, he still hit 31 homers, 62 RBI’s, and a batting average just under .250.
Thames Brewers career started off with a bang. He had a sluggish Spring Training and almost lost the 1st base job to Jesus Aguilar. However, manager Craig Counsell stuck with his off-season signee and it was a great decision. Thames hit 11 HR’s in his 24 games played in the first month of the season. He broke Carlos Lee’s record of 10 dingers in baseball’s inaugural month. Thames was beginning to look like like an MVP before he went on a massive slump in May.
Eric Thames struggled through peaks and valleys in his 2017 season with the Brewers.
One thing that triggered Eric Thames slump was his health and injuries. He had a bad hamstring that was first injured sometime in April or May that he unsmartly tried to play through. The hamstring just went downhill from there and he missed stints of time but never long enough to go on the DL. Thames also struggled through strep throught which sent aches through both of his legs. He only hit .168 in June.
Thames, even through the struggles, had a great tendency of getting on base for Milwaukee. He never had a walk rate below 10% and the lowest ISO he produced monthly was .195.
This off-season Thames needs to build up his strength and cardio. He wasn’t used to the wear and tear of the 162 game MLB season and it showed at times. Back in Korea he would they get an off day once a week, and you play 20 to 30 less games than a season in Major League Baseball.
Overall, Eric Thames had a productive 2017 season with Milwaukee. He hit 31 homers with 62 RBI’s. His batting average was a steady .247. Thames on base percentage was a great .364 due in part to the walks he drew.
Thames slaps hand with Jonathan Villar after a HR.
By Jacob Szczap