A Thing For Eric Thames

Image courtesy of Daylife via Getty Images

Earlier this week, the Tao spoke of springtime mancrushes. Yes, it’s that time of year when we get to see the new crop of prospects put on a show, and subsequently someone always catches my eye.

This spring, it just so happens to be Eric Thames.

So what do we know about Eric Thames? Well, if he had an eHarmony profile, I’m certain he’d list his interests as yoga, studying Jose Bautista’s swing on Youtube, and coiffing a spectacular fu manchu.


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I’ll be honest, the first thing I learned about Eric Thames was his epic moustache. That alone was enough to score some bonus points … but his performance thus far in Dunedin is what’s really making him one prospect to keep our eyes on.

It’s still very early on, but Thames already has four hits: a single, double, triple, and home run. I guess you could call that the veritable Spring Training five game cycle. Not too shabby with five games under his belt so far.

Richard Griffin had a great piece on Thames earlier this week chronicling his journey through the minor leagues. If not for the myriad of injuries, Thames could have been a member of the team that originally selected him; the New York Yankees.

Let’s keep in mind this is someone that was drafted 219th overall in the 2008 draft. Eric Thames hasn’t had the benefit of being a highly-touted prospect. Instead, he’s had to make a name for himself from the ground up.

Not many experts have Eric Thames pegged as one of the Blue Jays best up and comers. In fact, he’s not even on Baseball America’s Top 10 Blue Jays prospects. Jays Journal has Thames listed as the 15th best prospect in the organization, and Bluebird Banter has him as 12th.

However, that’s the great thing about unheralded players that make their way up through the ranks seemingly out of nowhere. Expectations weren’t astronomical for Eric Thames out of the gate, which makes it a very pleasant surprise to see where he has progressed.

Considering how well he performed last year in New Hampshire, just imagine what kind of damage Eric Thames could do in Las Vegas. The hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League would be very kind to Thames … if he can stay healthy.

He’s definitely flying under the radar at the moment, but Eric Thames will only be able to remain incognito for so long. If there’s suddenly an injury to one of the outfielders or a trade is made later this season, you can be sure Thames will be ready for the call.

And if you need to find him, I’m sure he’ll be in some variation of downward facing dog.


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Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

5 thoughts on “A Thing For Eric Thames

  • March 4, 2011 at 12:37 am
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    The recounting of the dinger he hit the other day Thames gave to Wilner was hilarious.

  • March 4, 2011 at 12:45 am
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    Eric Thames is my sleeper pic to make the team, out of spring training.

    Sure, a lot of things have to break Thames's way (Rivera leaves, Patterson/Pods severely underachieve) for that to happen. And Thames probably could do with some time at AAA before facing big-league pitchers fulltime.

    But so far, he hasn't hurt his own cause much, has he? There will be some interesting battles for jobs in the outfield over the next few years.

  • March 4, 2011 at 4:22 am
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    Contrasoma, are you talking about the Thames clip from this Wilner blog post? SWING NOW!

    Robbie, I really like what Thames has done so far in ST. All it takes is for one guy to be hurt for a door to open, and Eric Thames is pushing himself to the front of the line of candidates.

  • March 5, 2011 at 1:37 pm
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    You have a thing for the long shots, Ian. And I dig that about you.

  • March 6, 2011 at 2:16 am
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    You know me Dave, always rooting for the underdog!

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