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Four reasons why Eric Thames breaking MLB HR record isn’t so crazy

Eric Thames deserves to be one of the first-time MLB All-Stars in 2017

Reason 2: Miller Park

Miller Park

Let’s imagine a (hopefully) completely hypothetical scenario. Someone walks up to you with the bad news that you need to hit a home run in a Major League ballpark to save your life. The only good news? You get to pick the ballpark.

It would not take long to arrive at the decision to pick Miller Park.

In each of the last five seasons, the Brewers’ home stadium has been graded (by ESPN’s MLB Park Factors) as one of the best parks in baseball to hit the long ball. It ranked ninth in 2016, first in 2015eighth in 2014, fifth in 2013 and first in 2012.

Thames will get to play half of his games in that stadium. He’ll also get ample road games at the Great American Ballpark (live to all fields), Wrigley Field (can be live to all fields, depending on the wind), and PNC Park (live for left-handed hitters.) The only true pitcher friendly ballpark in the NL Central is Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Not every home run lands in the upper deck, 450 feet away from home plate. Some need to be relatively cheap homers, getting carry out to a short porch and landing in the first few rows. Thames will get those chances more than most hitters around baseball.

Playing at pitcher friendly AT&T Park, Bonds didn’t get many of those chances. Neither did McGwire playing at Busch Stadium. Thames certainly doesn’t have their overall power. But he may not need to be quite so prolific, either. His environment will help his quest.

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