Fansided

MLB awards watch: MVP races

By John Buhler

Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs the bases after hitting a game winning, walk-off three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs the bases after hitting a game winning, walk-off three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a two-run homer in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a two-run homer in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

National League No. 2

2

Eric Thames

1B, Milwaukee Brewers

The fun story to the 2017 MLB season so far is without hesitation Eric Thames’ rise to national prominence with the Milwaukee Brewers. Thames had not played in the big leagues since 2012 when he split the year between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners.

He eventually found great success playing in South Korea, but has returned to the majors as the power-hitting 30-year-old phenom for the Brewers. Milwaukee is 11-11 through 22 games and very much in the mix of an NL Wild Card berth. The Brewers probably won’t catch the Chicago Cubs, but this is a fun team to watch.

Thames is taking the league by storm. He is hitting .371/.482/.929 with 11 home runs and 19 runs batted in. Thames has more Raw Power than that Iggy Pop probably living in his bat somehow. It’s almost like the Brewers have Prince Fielder in his prime once again. This is so cool!

Maybe the National League will eventually figure out how to pitch around Thames once the opposition gets some tape on him. Then again, maybe Thames did re-invent himself as a hitter overseas. A five-year gap from playing in the majors tells us one thing. Thames loves baseball and he’s made the Brewers a must-watch team in April.

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