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MLB: 4 position players making a case for their first All-Star Game appearance

By Anthony Sosa

Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Thames

Eric Thames‘ first attempt in MLB didn’t go as planned. He struggled in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Thames wound up leaving MLB and heading to Korea.

After three seasons spent playing in the KBO, Thames returned to MLB and signed a three-year, $16 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason.

The 30-year-old got off to a hot start in 2017. Thames hit an MLB-leading 11 home runs in April. His April slash line was .345/.466/.810 with 19 RBI and 28 runs.

Many wondered if Thames’ success in Korea could translate to MLB. The Brewers star put that question to rest early on in the 2017 season.

So far in May, Thames isn’t seeing the same stellar play as he had in April. He hasn’t hit a homer in May and only has one RBI. Despite the struggles in early May, if Thames can play just half as good as he did in the first month of the season for the rest of the first half, expect him to make the NL All-Star team.

The feel-good story that Thames carries with his transition from the KBO to MLB also could play an impact on fan voting.

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