MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Brewers' camp was matter of adjustments for Eric Thames

Tom Haudricourt
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Brewers first baseman Eric Thames hits a single during a spring training game against the Cubs on March 18. Thames is batting .275 in the exhibition season.

PHOENIX - So, what did Eric Thames think of his first major-league spring training in four years?

“It’s been a lot longer than I remember,” said the Milwaukee Brewers new first baseman, who played the previous three seasons in Korea.

“I know it was longer this spring because of the WBC (World Baseball Classic). In terms of my body, I was really sore the first week or so. Now, I feel like I’m ready for the season. So, I’m happy about that.”

Most position players will tell you that spring training is far too long, that they don’t need anywhere near six weeks to get ready. But considering the acclimation that Thames went through, it probably didn’t hurt to take his time and get a feel for life back in the big leagues before breaking camp.

“What we have to remember with Eric is that it’s an adjustment,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He spent three years in a totally different environment. I think the clubhouse part of the adjustment, he is really comfortable with.

“The schedule is still quite a bit different from what he is used to, which he will admit was an adjustment for him. And the season schedule will be an adjustment for him. I’ve got to be aware of those things as we go forward. It’s harder.

“I think the Korean schedule has every Monday off during the regular season. The travel is less. And there are less on-field workouts. Getting him into a routine that he’s comfortable with, I think he’s getting close to that. It has been recognizable.”

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As might be expected in facing better pitching, the 30-year-old Thames struggled to find his timing at the plate in the early going. He has had better at-bats of late, going 2 for 2 with a walk Wednesday in the Cactus League finale against the Los Angeles Angels to boost his overall average in exhibition play to .275 with a solid .387 on-base percentage.

Considering the remarkable slugging Thames did in Korea (124 home runs, 379 RBI in 388 games), he did not drive the ball with any regularity in Arizona. In 65 plate appearances, he compiled only five extra-base hits – four doubles and a home run – with four RBI.

“It’s still a matter of learning the pitchers,” the left-handed-hitting Thames said. “I know during the season we’ll have reports and videos and stuff. I just need to get in there and get the adrenaline flowing.

“My biggest priority is seeing the ball. If you try to do too much, your head starts moving too much and you start chasing (bad pitches). I’m trying to hone in on the strike zone. Getting on base is a big thing for me, and stealing when I get a chance.”

Counsell said seeing pitchers for the first time is something Thames has to experience first-hand. You can have all of the scouting reports in the world and a well-stocked video library but until you stand in the batter’s box and battle mano a mano, you can’t make the proper adjustments.

“That’s always a challenge,” Counsell said “That’s something he has to go through. For the rest of us, there’s very little we’re going to be surprised with. It’s an execution game. He has tried to get at-bats against hitters he’ll be facing (during the regular season).”

Thames has displayed the athleticism that Counsell and his staff expected. He handles himself well around the bag and as a former outfielder, has looked comfortable when playing there, which could open chances for slugging backup Jesús Aguilar to get some starts at first base.

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“You’ll see him in the outfield during the season,” Counsell promised. “We’re going to use him there. That’s a big deal that we feel comfortable with him in the outfield.”

So, Thames survived his first camp with the Brewers. Thinking about opening a new chapter in his career Monday when the Brewers open their 2017 season, Thames can’t help but feel some butterflies.

“I’m excited about getting to Milwaukee,” he said. “That’s going to be my home for the next six months. Like they say, it’s different when the lights come on. It’s when the games count. We haven’t even played a night game yet.

“I think my experience has been 100% positive. I know it’ll be different starting next week but it’s going to be good. I’m just ready to go now.”