Brewers’ player pool loaded with last summer’s Missions

The Missions' Adrian Houser pitches against the Redbirds on April 9 at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander`
Adrian Houser, pitching for the San Antonio Missions at Wolff Stadium in 2019, is part of the Milwaukee Brewers’ player pool announced Monday.
The Milwaukee Brewers announced their initial player pool for the 2020 Major League Baseball season.

The pool includes these position players from the 2019 San Antonio Missions:

Milwaukee Brewers player pool includes these position players from the 2019 San Antonio Missions:
C David Freitas
C Jacob Nottingham
IF Keston Hiura

These pitchers who saw action with the 2019 Missions are also included in the Brewers’ player pool:

Ray Black
Zack Brown
Corbin Burnes
Adrian Houser
Brent Suter

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: 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

Tyler Saladino returns, Missions homer their way past Grizzlies

Tyler Saladino singled and eventually scored the winning run in the eighth inning Monday afternoon at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
Tyler Saladino singled and eventually scored the winning run in the eighth inning Monday afternoon at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander
The San Antonio Missions hit four home runs including three in one inning to beat the Fresno Grizzlies 9-8 on Monday afternoon at Wolff Stadium.

The Missions trailed 6-0 early in the game but narrowed the gap when Tyrone Taylor hit a three-run shot in the third inning, his eighth homer of the season.

The Missions took an 8-6 lead with four runs in the fifth inning. Troy Stokes Jr. hit a solo home run, his eighth of the season. Jacob Nottingham hit a two-run homer, his fourth of the season. Jake Hager hit a solo home run, his eighth of the season.

The Grizzlies scored single runs in the top of the seventh and eighth innings to tie it 8-8.

The Missions took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth. Tyler Saladino led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor. Saladino scored the winning run when David Freitas singled to right and Grizzlies right fielder Jose Marmolejos mis-handled the ball, allowing Saladino to advance two bases.

Missions reliever Angel Perdomo (3-0) pitched the seventh and eighth innings to earn the win. Ray Black pitched the ninth inning to earn his second save withthe Missions.

NOTES

  • Monday’s game was Saladino’s first action in a Missions uniform since being called up by the Milwaukee Brewers on June 28.
  • Missions pitcher Jimmy Nelson had his second strong appearance in a row in relief. He threw 1 2/3 innings with no runs, one hit, one walk and four strikeouts
  • Black, who came to the Brewers organization from the San Francisco Giants in a deal at the MLB trade deadline, hit 101 MPH on the stadium radar.

  • Missions break out offense but fall to Grizzlies

    The Missions' David Freitas hits a first-inning home run on Sunday at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
    The Missions’ David Freitas hits a first-inning home run on Sunday at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander
    After going scoreless in the first nine innings of their last two games, the San Antonio Missions’ bats came alive Sunday night.

    The Missions came up a run short despite 16 hits including a home run by David Freitas.

    The Fresno Grizzlies lashed out 14 hits including four home runs to beat the Missions 11-10 at Wolff Stadium.

    Freitas hit his ninth home run of the season in the first inning. He finished with three hits, including a double, and scored three times.

    Troy Stokes Jr. had three hits and Tyrone Taylor, Cory Spangenberg, Lucas Erceg and Jake Hager had two hits each for the Missions.

    Hernan Perez finishes another Missions win in extra innings

    The Missions' Hernan Perez connects with the ball for the winning hit in the 12th inning Saturday night at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
    The Missions’ Hernan Perez connects with the ball for the winning hit in the 12th inning Saturday night at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander
    For the second straight night the San Antonio Missions didn’t score through nine innings.

    And for the second staight night the Missions came through in extra innings for the victory.

    The Missions scored once in the 10th inning and twice in the 12th to beat the Fresno Grizzlies 3-2 on Saturday at Wolff Stadium.

    Cory Spangenberg singled and drove in Blake Allemand to tie the game 2-2 with two outs in the bottom of the 12th. David Freitas walked to put runners on first and second.

    Hernan Perez singled to left to score Spangenberg and win the game.

    Missions starting pitcher Zack Brown went six scoreless innings and gave up four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Relievers Ray Black and Jake Faria both pitched one scoreless inning each.

    The Missions’ Deolis Guerra (3-0) pitched the 11th and 12th innings to earn the win.

    Trent Grisham, Hernan Perez power Missions past River Cats in series opener

    Hernan Perez (left) and David Freitas celebrate after Perez's fifth-inning home run. The San Antonio Missions to beat the Sacramento River Cats 8-4 Tuesday at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
    Hernan Perez (left) and David Freitas celebrate after Perez’s fifth-inning home run. The Missions beat the Sacramento River Cats 8-4 Tuesday at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander
    The San Antonio Missions had 12 hits including three home runs to beat the Sacramento River Cats 8-4 Tuesday at Wolff Stadium.

    Trent Grisham homered twice and hit for the cycle and Hernan Perez had two hits including a home run. Grisham has 13 home runs since moving up from Double-A on June 20. Perez had five home runs in the last eight games.

    David Freitas had two hits, walked once and scored twice.

    Corbin Burnes started on the mound for the Missions and went two innings. The plan is for him to get reliever type innings, so the short was expected.

    Thomas Jankins, usually a starter, had the longest stint on the mound. Jankins (10-3) went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks to earn the win.

    Alex Wilson and Angel Perdomo pitched one inning each to finish the game.

    Missions catcher and PCL All-Star David Freitas

    The San Antonio Missions' David Freitas was selected to play in the 2019 Triple-A All-Star Game. - photo by Joe Alexander
    The San Antonio Missions’ David Freitas was selected to play in the 2019 Triple-A All-Star Game. – photo by Joe Alexander
    David Freitas started this year in the Majors, playing one game with the Seattle Mariners.

    A trade brought the 30-year-old catcher to the Milwaukee Brewers organization and San Antonio Missions.

    Freitas has been an offensive force in his 55 games in Triple-A. He leads the Missions in batting (.369), is second in OPS (.957), third in RBIs (43) and fourth in slugging (.523). He has seen time in San Antonio as both a catcher and first basemen, in keeping with the Brewers organization’s philosophy of giving players experience at multiple positions.

    Freitas is scheduled to play for the Pacific Coast League team in Wednesday’s Triple-A All-Star Game in El Paso.

    Missions’ Freitas, Hiura, Jackson, Saladino named to PCL All-Star roster

    Missions second baseman Keston Hiura playing against the Tacoma Rainiers on Wednesday at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
    The Missions’ Keston Hiura was named to the 2019 Pacific Coast League All-Star roster. – photo by Joe Alexander
    From a San Antonio Missions news release

    The Pacific Coast League announced today their 33-man roster for the 2019 Triple-A All-Star Game. Second baseman Keston Hiura, infielder Tyler Saladino, catcher David Freitas, and relief pitcher Jay Jackson will represent the San Antonio Missions in their inaugural season as a member of the Pacific Coast League.

    The 32nd Annual Triple-A All-Star Game will pit the Pacific Coast League All-Stars against the International League All-Stars and will be played on Wednesday, July 10 at Southwest University Park, home of the El Paso Chihuahuas. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM CDT. The game will be televised on MLB Network with Scott Braun, Bill Ripken, Jim Callis, and Kelly Nash on the call. The telecast will be available online at MiLB.tv, the MiLB First Pitch app, and MLBNetwork.com. The game can be heard on KONO 860 AM with El Paso Chihuahuas broadcaster Tim Hagerty and Louisville Bats broadcaster Nick Curran calling the action.

    Hiura is ranked as the top prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization and has been named to a mid-season all-star team for the second consecutive season after being tabbed a 2018 Carolina League All-Star while with Advanced-A Carolina. In 56 games with the Missions the second baseman is batting .332 with 44 runs, 16 doubles, 19 home runs, and 46 RBI. His .692 slugging percentage and 1.104 OPS are each ranked third in the Pacific Coast League. His 19 home runs are tied for seventh in the league and his batting average is good for ninth. The 22-year-old made his Major League debut this season and in 17 games with the Brewers hit .281 with 5 home runs and 9 RBI.

    Freitas joined the Missions on April 14 after being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers from the Seattle Mariners. In 53 games the 30-year-old is batting .369, which is good for third in the PCL. He has scored 28 runs, tallied 15 doubles, 5 home runs, and driven in 46, which is tied with Hiura for the second most on the Missions. His on-base percentage of .444 is also third on the circuit. This is the fourth mid-season all-star nod for Freitas and first since 2012. He was named a mid-season all-star in each of his first three professional seasons.

    Saladino has played all over the diamond for the Missions this season having seen time at all four infield positions along with left field and right field. In 66 games for the Missions the 29-year-old is batting .293 with 43 runs, 18 doubles, 14 home runs and 57 RBI. His 57 runs driven in are tied for seventh in the PCL. This will be Saladino’s second appearance in the Triple-A All-Star game as he was selected to represent the International League while with Charlotte in 2014.

    Jackson has been named a mid-season all-star for the third time in his career and first since 2013. The right-hander has been one of the elite options out of the bullpen in the PCL in 2019 as he sports a 4-2 record with a miniscule 1.14 ERA in 25 appearances for San Antonio. He has converted six of seven save opportunities, which are tied for sixth in the league. Opponents are hitting just .171 against Jackson, which is the second lowest among relievers. He also boasts the fewest baserunners per nine innings among relievers at 7.11.

    David Freitas. The San Antonio Missions beat the Round Rock Express 10-9 Sunday at Wolff Stadium in the first game of a doubleheader. - photo by Joe Alexander
    The Missions’ David Freitas was named to the 2019 Pacific Coast League All-Star roster. – photo by Joe Alexander
    The Missions' Tyler Saladino watches his three-run homer sail over the right-field fence in the sixth inning against the Redbirds on Sunday at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
    The Missions’ Tyler Saladino was named to the 2019 Pacific Coast League All-Star roster. – photo by Joe Alexander
    Jay Jackson got the save. The Missions beat the Oklahoma City Dodgers 4-3 Friday at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
    The Missions’ Jay Jackson was named to the 2019 Pacific Coast League All-Star roster. – photo by Joe Alexander

    David Freitas helps Missions belt Aces

    David Freitas drove in three runs for the Missions with a fifth-inning double on Sunday at Wolff Stadium. - photo by Joe Alexander
    David Freitas drove in three runs for the Missions with a fifth-inning double on Sunday at Wolff Stadium. – photo by Joe Alexander
    David Freita had a three-RBI double and a solo home run as the San Antonio Missions beat the Reno Aces 8-3 Sunday at Wolff Stadium.

    Nate Orf drove in the Missions’ first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Orf was one of three Missions to score when Freitas doubled with the bases loaded later in the inning to give the Missions a 4-2 lead.

    Michael O’Neill had an RBI double and scored on a single by Mauricio Dubon as the Missions added two more runs in the sixth to make it 6-2.

    Freitas hit his fourth home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the seventh and make it 7-2.

    Orf doubled in O’Neill in the bottom of the eighth for the Missions’ final run.

    The Aces scored the first two runs of the game on solo home runs by Abraham Almonte in the third and fifth innings.

    Missions starting pitcher Aaron Wilkerson (6-1) went five innings and got the win. He gave up the two home runs to Almonte – the only runs Wilkerson has allowed in home games at Wolff this season.