The Brewers switched from one NL homer leader to another, which initially led to some uncomfortable moments in Sin City.

You see, Milwaukee signed Eric Thames to replace Chris Carter as its first baseman and main power source, and the Brewers went a step further by designating Carter for assignment to open the 40-man roster spot for Thames and, well, why don’t we let Thames’ agent, Adam Karon, take it from here?

“The crazy thing is that Carter and Thames work out in Las Vegas in the same facility,” Karon said. “They were seeing each other several times a week. They are not friends or enemies, but Eric told me, ‘Man, this is awkward.’”

But Thames is nothing if not adaptable to difficult surroundings. He had to travel more than 6,500 miles to find a better swing and mindset that has made him the biggest story in baseball this April — a washout who has become a phenom at age 30.

Thames had power in his first major league incarnation, but his plate discipline was poor. Between 2011-13, four organizations gave up on him. So Thames signed to play in Korea.

“His mom said it is a black hole, no one ever comes back [to the majors],” Karon remembered. “I told her it doesn’t mean you can’t come back, but I was saying it to pacify a mother.”

But Thames hit his way back home. Playing for the NC Dinos, Thames batted .349 over three years with a combined 124 homers. That enticed many teams, including the Yankees, to have interest in the lefty swinger.

Karon established three criteria to sign his player back in the majors or else Thames would either enlist back in Korea or perhaps go to Japan: 1) a three-year contract; 2) contractual language that prevented him from being sent back to the minors (he has one option left); 3) no platoons.

The demands were designed to ensure Thames got an extended chance in case, for example, his success in Korea did not translate quickly here. Recognizing a market flooded with power bats at the corner infield spots, Karon also wanted to move quickly, and the Brewers – despite never scouting Thames on anything but tape – were the most aggressive.

Carter had hit 41 homers last year, but struck out 206 times, batted just .222 and was considered a defensive liability. Through arbitration, his 2017 salary likely would soar to $8 million or more.

“Never once did [the Brewers] say a thing about Carter, but a lot of people knew that Carter was on [the trade] block,” Karon said. “But the Brewers never said if Eric signs, we are letting Carter go. [Milwaukee GM David Stearns] said, ‘If we lay out this kind of money [three years, $16 million], you have my word he will play every day even if he struggles early.’ That was important because we felt he would need a transition period.”

So much for that. Thames has homered 11 times in his first 20 games while hitting .371 with a 1.411 OPS — eight have come in six games against the Reds.This has rekindled memories of when Cecil Fielder came back to the majors in 1990 after a year in Japan and hit 51 homers for the Tigers.

Why has Thames graduated to this type of hitter? There is not much fastball velocity in Korea, so pitchers rely heavily on off-speed offerings. Seeing so many curves and splits improved Thames’ hitting eye, and he has carried that over here. Karon, though, insists that is only part of the reason.

“He grew up emotionally,” Karon said. “His approach to life changed. He adopted an Eastern way of thinking.”

Still, I wondered: If Thames’ plate discipline could be improved by being force-fed so many breaking balls in Korea, might this be an avenue for talented minor leaguers here with the same problems to use to get to the majors?

“It is an innovative idea, to go there for a specialized training,” Karon said. “But we have a lot of guys overseas, like 10 or 11 Americans in Asia. It is not easy to get there. They don’t want just anyone. I have clients who are 4A. Korean scouts say they can’t hit breaking balls and won’t sign them. They don’t want their league to be training ground. They are very proud of their league.”

Rookie of Year fave in Jose Reyes territory

As has been well-documented, the lowest OPS in the National League belonged to Jose Reyes (.324). But did you know the second-lowest belongs to the Braves’ Dansby Swanson (.357), so impressive in a late-season cameo last year and the NL Rookie of the Year favorite for 2017?

The first overall pick in the 2015 draft hit .302 in 38 games last year, but is at .139 in 18 games this season. He is 23 and jumped straight from Double-A, so I wondered if Atlanta officials were at least contemplating sending him to Triple-A to remove pressure and get him into a groove.

“We have not considered sending him out,” Braves president of baseball operations John Hart said in a text message. “He’s playing very good [defense] and has hit into some bad luck early. I was a little concerned when we opted to hit him second this early in his career, but we have dropped him [to eighth] and hopefully that will ease a little pressure. He’s a very confident young man who is going to be a winning player.”

Admit it: You slept on the Orioles again

Orioles ace Kevin Gausman has the majors’ worst ERA (7.50). No. 2 starter Chris Tillman has yet to throw an inning this season, and needs at least one more rehab start as he tries to recover from a shoulder injury. Zach Britton is on the DL. Manny Machado is hitting .197.

So, of course, the Orioles have the majors’ best record at 13-5. “Of course” because Baltimore annually is underestimated in preseason predictions and then over-performs.

“People don’t usually like us at the beginning of the season,” Orioles GM Dan Duquette said. “But we usually have a competitive team. It is part of our identity. People don’t expect much, but we play winning baseball year in, year out.”

Duquette cited Orioles Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver’s credo of pitching, defense and a three-run homer in explaining success. Despite the issues with Gausman, Tillman and Britton, Baltimore was fourth in ERA (3.50) as Dylan Bundy is blossoming in the rotation and the bullpen has remained deep with Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart.

The Orioles’ 26 homers were among the league leaders, helped by Jonathan Schoop looking as if he might be progressing to a higher level and rookie Trey Mancini offering surprising pop.

Since 2012, Baltimore has the AL’s best record, 11 games better the second-best Yankees. Yet, admit it, you probably still are wondering if the Orioles will be good this year.