Eric Thames hit three home runs in the last two games he played in. Thames has been a roller coaster of late with some days where the ball flies far and others where it’s strikeout city. That said, he’s still a part of one of the best stories in baseball for the season. That’s why it’s odd that he would not even get a call to participate in the Home Run Derby next week in Miami. I do think there’s a logical explanation for this even though it probably makes zero sense to Brewers fans why Thames isn’t participating.

The answer is he’s not an All-Star or a candidate to become an All-Star with the final vote. Home Run Derby usually only puts in people who are participating in the All-Star Game. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Sano, Charlie Blackmon and Cody Bellinger are All-Stars. Mike Moustakas and Justin Bour are candidates for the final vote in both leagues. Odds are one will make it, and if not, there’s a maybe All-Star. If Thames found himself in the final vote, he would have likely been invited.

If we use this logic then I’m going to save my pitchfork for another time when it comes to Thames. He has some gaudy numbers, but he’s not an All-Star. Thames had a rough May and June was sort of all over the place so it’s no surprise he’s not there. Given his comments after Tuesday’s game, it sounded like this sort of weighed on him for the last few weeks causing him to press.

All this being said, it’s interesting that ESPN decided they didn’t want to tell his story on their airwaves in front of a larger than usual audience. I get the whole “has to be an All-Star” thing, but you would think the Mothership would want a casual fan to hear about Thames.

Charlie.