Will Dallas Cowboys’ good fortune turn into a curse?

The Dallas Cowboys had no reason to expect or deserve the good luck that fell into their laps on the first day of the 2020 NFL draft.

With just about everybody, including probably even Jerry Jones, assuming the Cowboys would grab a defensive player on Thursday, one of the top offensive players in the draft slid down to their No. 17 pick.

There were three wide receivers in the draft who where viewed as game-changers:
CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma
Jerry Jeudy of Alabama
Henry Ruggs of Alabama

It seemed like a bit of a longshot for any one of them to still be around when the Cowboys picked. And the last one left standing was expected to be Ruggs, the smallest of the three.

Once the Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas/Wandering Minstrel Raiders took the speedy Ruggs with the 12th pick, even that possibility was out the window.

And yet…

When the Cowboys went on the clock at No. 17 and Lamb was somehow still available, the Dallas front office couldn’t pass him up.

So that’s the good news. The Cowboys got a great player at relative bargain considering where they picked.

The possible bad news?

The areas of concern on the Dallas roster entering the draft remain areas of concern heading into the second round.

Priorities are defensive backs, an edge rusher, and to a lesser extent an offensive lineman or two.

Ultimately, how the Cowboys are judged on taking Lamb in the first round will be connected to how the team bolsters the defense on the second day of the draft.

With that in mind, here is what the second and third rounds could have in store for the Dallas roster.

There are four first-round level defensive talents that are still available going into Friday night who fit what the Cowboys need:
safety Xavier McKinney of Alabama
edge A.J. Epenesa of Iowa
cornerback Jaylon Johnson of Utah
edge Yetur Gross-Metos of Penn State

The Cowboys pick 19th in the second round – 51st overall. All four the the players just mentioned will probably be gone unless the Cowboys trade up. In fact, McKinney might have been the guy the Cowboys took in the first round if Lamb hadn’t been there.

If the Cowboys go strictly by need, their second-round pick will be a cornerback. After Johnson, here are some other cornerbacks to look for in the second round:
Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Kristian Fulton, LSU
Bryce Hall, Virginia
Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech

Safeties who could be there for the Cowboys in the second round include:
Antoine Winfield Jr. of Minnesota
Grant Delpit of LSU
K’Von Wallace of Clemson.

There are enough edge rushers in the draft that the Cowboys could get a contributor there in the third round. By then Gross-Matos and Epenesa will be long gone. Dallas picks 18th in the third round, No. 82 overall. One mock draft I saw had the Cowboys taking edge Alton Robinson of Syracuse at that spot.

If the Cowboys look for an edge rusher in the second or third rounds without trading up, here is a pool of names they could draw from:
Marlon Davidson of Auburn
Jabari Zuniga of Florida
Curtis Weaver of Boise State
Bradlee Anae of Utah
Josh Uche of Michgan
Trevis Gipson of Tulsa
Julian Okwara of Notre Dame
Darrell Taylor of Tennessee
Alex Highsmith of Charlotte
Anfernee Jennings of Alabama

My prediction:

– in the 2nd round the Cowboys take cornerback Kristian Fulton of LSU

– in the 3rd round the Cowboys take edge rusher Bradlee Anae of Utah

The Cowboys must choose well at the Nos. 51 and 82 picks. Otherwise, Lamb and the Dallas offense might not be able to score enough touchdowns to match what the defense gives up.

San Antonio Missions history: welcome to Triple-A

Mauricio Dubon drives in the Missions' winning run in a 6-5 victory over the Memphis Redbirds on April 9, 2019 in the first Triple-A game in San Antonio history. - photo by Joe Alexander
Mauricio Dubon drives in the Missions’ winning run in a 6-5 victory over the Memphis Redbirds on April 9, 2019 in the first Triple-A game in San Antonio history.
One year ago today, Triple-A baseball was played in San Antonio for the first time.

Mauricio Dubon’s two-run, walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth drove in Lucas Erceg and Jake Hager with the tying and winning runs as the Missions beat the Memphis Redbirds 6-5.

Of the Missions who played in last year’s home opener at Wolff Stadium, these players also spent time with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019:

Keston Hiura, Tyler Saladino, Jacob Nottingham, Cory Spangenberg, Tyrone Taylor, Mauricio Dubon, Adrian Houser, Jeremy Jeffress, Deolis Guerra.

Jacob Nottingham, Angel Perdomo returning to Missions

San Antonio Missions and Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jacob Nottingham playing for San Antonio this season at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Jacob Nottingham batted .231 with five home runs and 40 RBIs in 83 games in 2019 with the Missions.
The Milwaukee Brewers optioned five players to the minors on Thursday. Four of those are headed to the San Antonio Missions, including two from last summer’s roster.

Catcher Jacob Nottingham and left-handed relief pitcher Angel Perdomo were both optioned to Triple-A San Antonio. Both were part of the 2019 Missions.

Right-handed pitchers Bobby Wahl and Eric Yardley were also optioned to the Missions.

Wahl, a reliever, missed last season after suffering a knee injury in spring training. He appeared in seven games for the New York Mets in 2018 and also seven games with the Oakland A’s in 2017.

The Brewers optioned right-handed pitcher J.P. Feyereisen to the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers.

Angel Perdomo. 2019 San Antonio Missions season at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Angel Perdomo had a 3-2 record and 5.17 ERA in 40 appearances with the Missions in 2019.

Former Padres farm hand Eric Yardley headed back to Missions

Eric Yardley spent parts of five seasons in San Antonio (2014-18) when the Missions were part of the San Diego Padres’ organization in the Double-A Texas League.

The right-handed relief pitcher is headed back to San Antonio as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization. The Brewers optioned Yardley to the Triple-A Missions on Thursday.

Yardley was with the Padres last season. The Brewers claimed Yardley after the Padres put him on waivers in November.

Yardley appeared in 10 games with San Diego in 2019, all in relief. He recorded a 2.31 ERA with seven strikeouts and three walks in 11 2/3 innings. He also pitched in 43 games with Triple-A El Paso last summer.

Eric Yardley with the Missions

2014 – 4 appearances, 6.0 innings, 3.00 ERA, 0-0 record

2015 – 5 appearances, 7.0 innings, 5.14 ERA, 0-1 record

2016 – 12 appearances, 17.0 innings, 3.18 ERA, 0-2 record, 1 save

2017 – 44 appearances, 61 1/3 innings, 2.05 ERA, 3-1 record, 6 saves

2018 – 34 appearances, 39 1/3 innings, 3.43 ERA, 2-4 record, 0 saves

Looking ahead at the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft

With the NFL draft less than a month away, I’m trying to figure out what the Dallas Cowboys will do – especially with their first pick at No. 17 overall.

Most of the NFL mock drafts have the Dallas Cowboys taking a defensive back with their first pick, No. 17 overall. The favorite is cornerback C.J. Henderson from Florida. Also seeing LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton and Alabama safety Xavier McKinney.
Alabama safety Xavier McKinney – YouTube video

I’ve seen a couple of NFL mock drafts that have the Dallas Cowboys taking an edge rusher with the first pick, No. 17 overall – either K’Lavon Chaisson from LSU or A.J. Edpenesa from Iowa.
LSU edge K’Lavon Chaisson – YouTube video

If I’m the Dallas Cowboys, I don’t pick an edge rusher in the first round unless I believe your player is a real game-changer. There will be a lot of edge rushers available in the second round.

There are three receivers in the NFL draft who are rated above everyone else: Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Alabama’s Henry Ruggs. Expect all three to be gone before the Cowboys pick at No. 17.
Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb – YouTube video

I would love to see Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs available for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft. Doesn’t seem likely he is still around at No. 17. Most mock drafts I have seen have him picked in the top 10 and even the top 5.
Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs – YouTube video

Expect the Dallas Cowboys to pick a cornerback in the first round of the NFL draft, probably Florida’s C.J. Henderson, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs or LSU’s Kristian Fulton.
Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson – YouTube video

Look for the Dallas Cowboys to pick an edge rusher in the second round and offensive lineman, focusing on center, in the third round of the NFL draft.
Florida edge Jabari Zuniga – YouTube video

Missions player possibilities for 2020

Missions outfielder Tyrone Taylor chases down a fly ball at Wolff Stadium last summer. - photo by Joe Alexander
Missions outfielder Tyrone Taylor chases down a fly ball at Wolff Stadium last summer.
If and when the 2020 major league and Triple-A seasons get underway, here is a look at who might be playing for the San Antonio Missions:

These Milwaukee Brewers transactions from March list players the big club sent to San Antonio:

Brewers optioned 3B Ryon Healy to Missions.
Brewers optioned 2B Mark Mathias to Missions.
Brewers optioned SS Ronny Rodriguez to Missions.
Brewers optioned C David Freitas to Missions.
Brewers optioned CF Corey Ray to Missions.
Brewers optioned RHP Trey Supak to Missions.

The following players have minor-league contracts with the Brewers and were invited to spring training with the big club. They could end up in San Antonio and include six of last season’s Missions:

LHP Clayton Andrews
RHP Zack Brown
3B Andres Blanco
3B Lucas Erceg
C Payton Henry
RHP Thomas Jankins
RHP Mike Morin
C Mario Feliciano
RHP Drew Rasmussen
RHP Miguel Sanchez
LHP Ethan Small
RHP Aaron Wilkerson
1B Logan Morrison
C Tuffy Gosewisch

Other 2019 Missions who were in the Brewers’ minor league spring training were:

P Bubba Derby
C Skyler Ewing

Outfielder Tyrone Taylor had his 2019 season with the injured slowed by injuries. He is on the Brewers’ 40-man roster by wasn’t playing in spring training while he recovered from surgery.

Update on Friday, Feb. 27, 2020:

The Milwaukee Brewers optioned the following players to the San Antonio Missions:
C Jacob Nottingham
LHP Angel Perdomo
RHP Bobby Wahl
RHP Eric Yardley

Missions watch: Ray Black

Ray Black pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers in a Feb. 23 spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. - photo by Joe Alexander
Ray Black pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers in a Feb. 23 spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. – photo by Joe Alexander
One in a series of brief looks at players with ties to the San Antonio Missions as we get ready for the 2020 baseball season.

Ray Black had a brief stretch with the San Antonio Missions last summer as a relief pitcher.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization in a trade-deadline deal on July 31 that saw the Missions’ Mauricio Dubon go to the the San Francisco Giants organization.

Black made six appearances for the Missions, allowing only one earned run. He gave up one hit with nine strikeouts and two walks in 6.0 innings.

He finished the season with Milwaukee. Black made 15 relief appearances for the Brewers and had a 5.14 ERA.

Black started 2020 spring training with the Brewers’ big club in the Cactus League. He appeared in two games before being sidelined by an injury.

Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on March 10 that Black has a sore back but the issue isn’t considered serious.

Black was originally drafted by the Giants in the seventh round in 2011. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and made 26 relief appearances for the Giants that season.

Ray Black pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers in a Feb. 23 spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. - photo by Joe Alexander
Ray Black pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers in a Feb. 23 spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. – photo by Joe Alexander

Trinity vs. New Jersey City U. baseball photo gallery

Trinity's Jack Wisniewski had two hits including a home run, scored twice and had three RBIs in a victory against New Jersey City U. - photo by Joe Alexander
Trinity’s Jack Wisniewski had two hits including a home run, scored twice and had three RBIs.
Trinity outlasted New Jersey City University 7-5 in 10 innings on Tuesday on the Tigers’ home field.

Junior third baseman Jack Wisniewski hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to win the game.

Missions watch: David Freitas

David Freitas of the 2019 San Antonio Missions with the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2020 spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. - photo by Joe Alexander
David Freitas with the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2020 spring training game.
One in a series of brief looks at players with ties to the San Antonio Missions as we get ready for the 2020 baseball season.

David Freitas led the San Antonio Missions in hitting last season with a .381 average.

Freitas hovered around the .400 mark for much of the summer while playing catcher and first base in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

Freitas, who will turn 31 years old on March 18, was a 15th-round draft pick in 2010 and has paid his dues in the minor leagues. He has played in 802 games in the minors with a .289 average and 73 home runs.

He played in his first major league game in 2017 with the Atlanta Braves. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound right-hander has played in a total of 58 games in the majors including 16 at the end of the last season after being called up by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Freitas went to 2020 spring training with the Brewers’ big league crew. He is hitting .211 (4-of-19) in the Cactus League in 13 games.

David Freitas on Twitter

Missions watch: Lucas Erceg

Lucas Erceg of the 2019 San Antonio Missions playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2020 spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. - photo by Joe Alexander
Lucas Erceg playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2020 spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
One in a series of brief looks at players with ties to the San Antonio Missions as we get ready for the 2020 baseball season.

One of the best infield arms in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system belongs to Lucas Erceg.

The 24-year-old from California showed off his skills last summer at Wolff Stadium – primarily as the San Antonio Missions’ third baseman.

What held Erceg back was a season when he struggled to get in an extended groove at the plate. The left-handed hitter batted .218 with 15 home runs in 116 games in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He struck out 102 times in 357 at-bats.

A second-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016, Erceg batted a combined .327 his first professional season in rookie and Class A ball in the summer of 2016.

Erceg is with the Brewers’ big club in 2020 spring training, seeing action at both third base and first base. He has played in 13 Cactus League games so far and is hitting .182 with one home run and five RBIs in 22 at-bats.

It doesn’t look like the Brewers have room for Erceg on their opening day roster, so he appears likely to be back at Wolff Stadium with the Missions a month from now when they open their 2020 season on April 9.

Update: On Monday afternoon, Erceg was one of nine players the Brewers reassigned to Minor League camp. The list also includes pitchers Thomas Jankins and Miguel Sanchez from the 2019 Missions.