On Saturday, the Pirates held Eric Thames, the Milwaukee Brewers’ breakout first baseman, in check rather easily. He flied in his first two at-bats in a 4-0 loss, and struck out in his next two. It’s a feat few teams have accomplished so far this season. Thames is slashing 310/.430/.710.
After two unremarkable seasons in the majors, Thames spent the 2014-16 seasons with the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball League. He smashed 37, 47 and 40 home runs in three seasons in Korea. When Thames signed three-year, $16 million free agent contract with Milwaukee this winter, it was unknown whether how power would translate in his return to the major leagues.