Eric Thames
Encyclopedia
Eric Allyn Thames (born November 10, 1986) is an American professional baseball
outfielder
with the Toronto Blue Jays
of Major League Baseball
.
He was recalled to the Blue Jays from the team's AAA affiliate Las Vegas 51s
of the Pacific Coast League
on May 16, 2011. To place him on the 40-man roster, Robert Ray
was designated for assignment
. He was optioned back to AAA to make room on the roster for Adam Lind
on June 3, 2011, and later recalled on June 23.
by the New York Yankees
in the 39th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
, pick number 1191 overall. He chose to continue his studies at Pepperdine. He was drafted the following year by the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
, pick number 219 overall.
of the Florida State League
in 2009. He also spent time rehabbing with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays of the Gulf Coast League
later that year, and spent the 2010 season with the Blue Jays' AA affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats
of the Eastern League.
and recorded his first career hit
and RBI
, driving in second baseman Aaron Hill. Thames also recorded his first career walk
and run scored
in that game. Thames hit his first career double
against the Houston Astros
on May 21.
On June 3, Thames was optioned to AAA Las Vegas to make room for the return of Adam Lind. On June 23, he was recalled to Toronto.
On June 29, Thames hit his first career home run off Pittsburgh Pirates
starter Paul Maholm
.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
with the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
He was recalled to the Blue Jays from the team's AAA affiliate Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
on May 16, 2011. To place him on the 40-man roster, Robert Ray
Robert Ray (baseball)
Robert Andrew "Bobby" Ray is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed...
was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
. He was optioned back to AAA to make room on the roster for Adam Lind
Adam Lind
Adam Alan Lind is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He was drafted in the third round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft and was signed on June 30, 2004. He was first drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of...
on June 3, 2011, and later recalled on June 23.
Background
Thames was drafted from Pepperdine UniversityPepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 39th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
, pick number 1191 overall. He chose to continue his studies at Pepperdine. He was drafted the following year by the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
, pick number 219 overall.
Professional career
Thames began his professional career with the Dunedin Blue JaysDunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
in 2009. He also spent time rehabbing with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays of the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
later that year, and spent the 2010 season with the Blue Jays' AA affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
of the Eastern League.
2011
He made his MLB debut on May 18 2011 against the Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
and recorded his first career hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, driving in second baseman Aaron Hill. Thames also recorded his first career walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and run scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in that game. Thames hit his first career double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
on May 21.
On June 3, Thames was optioned to AAA Las Vegas to make room for the return of Adam Lind. On June 23, he was recalled to Toronto.
On June 29, Thames hit his first career home run off Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
starter Paul Maholm
Paul Maholm
Paul Gurner Maholm is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Amateur career:Maholm is a graduate of Germantown High School in Germantown, Tennessee...
.