The Malthouse: Revolving Tap

[Hitmen]

The Malthouse - Madison, WI: April 12th, 2032

Madison spent another busy offseason retooling the team for the future, putting a larger emphasis on correcting the imbalance on the mound while making some sacrifices and looking for low cost pieces in the field. Let’s take a look at this year’s opening day starters.

Starting Pitching:
Erik Watson: LHP, acquired from Bakersfield in the offseason, Erik is looking to take up the reins as the staff’s ace and is one of the many new additions to Madison to help bring parity to the pitching staff which now is split 7 LHP and 6 RHP. Coming off a 63-56 career record and 3.16 ERA in 6 seasons with the Bears, Watson enters 2032 with a new 5 year contract and high hopes of helping to bring Madison to its first ever playoff birth.

Atasuke Inoue: RHP, got a taste last season in Madison as he split time in AAA and the main roster, but hopes are still high on the sidearm throwing righty out of Kitami, Japan. At only 25 years of age, Atasuke has some time to solidify his spot in the rotation, and 2032 should good a long way into determining if that is true. With an impressive pitching repertoire, Atasuke will start the year with a lot of pressure to perform out of the 2 spot in the rotation this season, ahead of sophomore teammate Pete Blaquiere.

Manuel López: LHP, throwing in the 3rd year of his 4 year contract, López is looking to continue to be that calming and consistent workhorse in the rotation. López is looking to improve on his 23-25 record to start the year and build off of last season’s success. 

Pete Blaquiere: RHP, like fellow sophomore Atasuke Inoue, returns to build off of his rookie season success as a stable centerpiece of the rotation. At only 23 year of age, Blaquiere has plenty of growing to still do and will benefit this year with the sure handed defense Madison has assembled in the infield yet again this season.

Ben McLaughlin: LHP, rounding out the new lefty additions to the starting rotation, McLaughlin comes from an offseason trade with Tempe that saw stud prospect Juan Rincón head to Tempe as they build out their farm in their first return season to the PEBA. McLaughlin is coming off of some impressive seasons in the WIL with hopes that his stubbornness on the mound translates well against the Sovereign League hitters.

Relievers:
Jason Baker: RHP, after a solid rookie year in 2031 as a starter, Baker is the odd man out of the rotation this year and will start the season as the primary backup and long reliever. I would not count Baker out on eventually winning back a spot in the rotation as the year goes on. 

Tokutomi Sakamoto: LHP, is one of the few veterans present in the pen for Madison. Sakamoto enroced his will on hitters last year while focusing on hitting the corners and will look to do the same this season. Sakamoto made a name for himself as a starter in the WIL with Gloucester, but has enjoyed some success since coming over in 2030 to Madison (then Canton).

Donald Lesher: RHP, another pickup in the offseason, Lesher comes over from West Virginia to give another option in the pen that has shown the control necessary to limit the home runs of his opponents. Pitching coach Dan Mosley made the recommendation to pursue Lesher as he has posted an impressive 1.98 ERA when facing righties throughout his career.

Juan Gómez: LHP, returns for his 3rd season in Madison after being picked as a Rule V pick in 2029 from the Claymores. Gomez has improved with every year in the pen with the Malts and looks to continue being a trusted reliever in tough situations.

Carlos Rivas: RHP, another veteran presence in the bullpen, Rivas was a low risk low reward trade in 2031 with Arlington to provide some depth in the bullpen. As such, Rivas continues to be a solid back up option while Madison waits for Jóse Castillo and Conner ‘Black Jack’ Hurst to return from injury this year. Hurst was a solid bullpen addition in 2031, while Castillo proved to be a veteran strength on the mound before suffering a partially torn UCL which saw him miss the majority of 2031.

Marty Bernard: LHP, another offseason addition, Bernard provides another consistent lefty option out of the bullpen that was sorely lacking in 2031 and years before. Bernard brings championship experience after being a part of the 2031 San Juan Championship team. Hopes are that his experience will rub off on the Malts and help propel them to their first playoff burst.

Paco Martínez: LHP, another foreign born player finally makes his transition from the Liga Dominicana de Beisbol Invernal to PEBA where he posted a 29-89 record with a 3.43 ERA over 6 seasons as a SP with the Bani Depredadores del Peravia. Paco will transition to the pen and would only make starts in emergency situations.

Juan Castro: RHP, closer for the Malts, Castro is a perfect example of a success story out of the ABSF independent leagues. Castro, a  5x times All-Star and 2x Reliever of the Year in the Alianza Beisbol Al Sur de la Frontera made quick waves for the Malts and has locked up the Closer role for himself till his arm falls off. 

Catcher:
Tony ‘Boy Scout’ Jarvis: After splitting the catcher role in his rookie season, Jarvis has been given the reins at catcher due to his relationship with the starting rotation. The former 4th round pick has a cannon for an arm behind the mound and provides surefire defense. His back up again this year will be Ellis Nock, another solid defensive option behind the plate. The pitching staff in Madison is in good hands.

First Base:
Rámon ‘Ghost’ Guzmán: Historically a 2B by trade, the ‘Ghost’ was brought in and required to learn a new position to have more opportunities to start right away for the Malts. Guzmán worked hard with Bench Coach Carlos Hernández in the offseason for a regiment to get comfortable at the new position before the season started.

Second Base:
Jesús Ochoa / Steve ‘Reflex’ Overgaag: Ochoa was the primary 2B last year with Overgaag getting a look in September. While a consistent 2B, Ochoa’s bat and range are deemed lacking, so the door is open for Overgaag to steal the role full time in 2032. Steve picked up the nickname of ‘Gag-reflex’ or ‘Reflex’ for short during Spring Training when he had a wild groundball take a funny bounce on the same day he forgot to wear his cup. Malts Spring Training practice required a 15 minute break with the infield laid out in the grass from laughing too hard at the poor rookie. Bench Coach Carlos Hernández described it as “the unluckiest bounce I’ve ever seen” when describing the pain Overgaag endured, crouched over in pain with his face all blue.

Third Base:
Marcos Sánchez: With the position not even in question, Sánchez will lead the Malts again at 3B with hopes to grow the progress the Malts have made in 2031 and help lead the team to their first playoff performance. 2031 was special for Sánchez as he hit his 300th career HR and netted his 2nd PEBA career 3+ HR game. The hope is that in the future, 3B prospect Tony Velázquez will step into the role at 3B for the Matls. 

Short Stop:
Javier Torres: Torres worked himself into a favorable extension for himself after great play the second half on 2030, however he could not match those numbers last season. Torres will try to rebound this year to prove he is not a bust and is more than just a defensive SS. 

Outfield:
Pablo ‘Mountain Man’ Garza: Mountain Man enters the 2032 season as the #6 ranked prospect in PEBA after a quick cup of coffee last September. Garza spent some time in the off-season Winter Ball program to really get ready for the coming year. While some time was spent trying to improve his defense this Spring, it continues to be a work in progress for the young 24 year old slugger out of Bel Aire, Kansas. Malts management is excited for the Mountain Man as his ceiling appears endless.

Zach Adderley: An outspoken and brash youngster out of Australia, Adderley continues to wow defensively and has been given the full time nod as the starting CF this season. Adderley has never been known for his bat, but if he can get on base, he will wow you with his speed and defense in the field.

Dale Sabean: Former international prospect brought up in New Jersey’s system back in 2016, Sabean has always been a solid back up but has never gotten a chance to shine, or prove his lofty potential when he first came into the league. His best season was a one year stint in the World Independent League’s Manchester Maulers (2028), now back in the IL of PEBA. Sabean was brought in on a one year stop gap contract until Madison can better fit the hole in the outfield.

Yoshihide ‘Nutso’ Inagaki: Another low cost stop gap brought in from Tempe, Nutso has a high batting IQ. While not having the best batting average, he does bring some pop to the plate but more importantly will walk at a huge rate as he led the WIL in OBP in 3 of the last 4 years. Will this eye for the ball translate to PEBA’s level of pitching talent is yet to be seen.  

Utility: 
José Ruíz / Moon-suk Ha: Shoring up the remainder of the utility players on the bench, Ruiz accepted a veteran minimum contract to back up the infield in Madison this year after three seasons in Aurora. While Moon-suk Ha is coming into his sophomore season with Madison as the main defensive back stop. Ha is a versatile defender with plus speed and has come as a low cost low reward asset last season. 

Madison continues to inch their way season by season to try and make their first playoff appearance in franchise history. 2031 was a large step forward and the third year in a massive overhaul for the franchise, including a move from Canton to Madison. 2031 it took 91 wins in the SL to get into the playoffs, a mark Madison fell 22 games shy of last year. Can 2032's roster be enough to get them there? One can hope.

- Damson Actinon, The Malthouse: Revolving Tap

[Hitmen]

Press release from The Malthouse: Revolving Tap;

Following up to our annoucement of the Minor League Players of the year in Madison, we are now releasing the updated, previously missing 2024-2028 records which were recovered. We now have out Minor League Hitters and Pitchers of the Years list almost complete. Next we will work to uncover the records of our 2007-2013 winners!

Historical CAN Winners:

Minor League Hitter of the Year
2032: 3B Tony Velázquez (AA)
2031: 3B Tony Velázquez (SS-A)
2030: 2B Steve Overgaag (AAA)
2029: RF Raúl Costello (AAA)
2028: CF Freddy Hernández (SS-A)
2027: 2B Dmitri Hill (AAA)
2026: RF Jorge Rodríguez (Hi-A)
2025: CF Johnny Dand (AAA)
2024: RF Jorge Flores (Hi-A)
2023: CF Vaclav Verlaan (AAA)
2022: CF Vaclav Verlaan (Hi-A)
2021: SS Gonzalo Gonzalez (AA/AAA)
2020: C Cliff Mitchell (SS-A)
2019: LF Gabriel Martinez (AA/AAA)
2018: LF Ryan Smith (AAA)
2017: RF Peyton Bishop (AA/AAA)
2016: RF Brian Gustafson (Hi-A)
2015: 1B Rich Wheeler (AA)
2014: 1B Jose 'Vapor Lock' Martinez (AAA)
2007-2013: Yet to come!

Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2031: SP Jorge Lorenzo (AA)
2031: SP Jorge Lorenzo (Hi-A)
2030: SP Atasuke Inoue (AA)
2029: SP Jason Baker (AA)
2028: SP Chris Acevez (AAA)
2027: SP Ralph Coolen (SS-A)
2026: SP Manuel Flores (AA)
2025: SP Brighton Burgess (AAA)
2024: SP Shumei Miyazaki (AA)
2023: SP Colin Jameson (AA)
2022: SP Manuel Gonzalez (AA)
2021: SP Alfonso Romero (AA/AAA)
2020: SP/RF Juan Marquez (AA)
2019: SP Jim Hayden (AA)
2018: SP Brighton Burgess (SS-A)
2017: CL Pat Miller (AA/AAA)
2016: SP David Castro (AA)
2015: SP Hector Beltran (AAA)
2014: SP Jose Marquez (AAA)
2007-2013: Yet to come!

- Damson Actinon, The Malthouse: Revolving Tap

[Hitmen]

The Malthouse - Madison, WI: January 2nd, 2033



The Madison Malts started the offseason with a lackluster realization.. 2032 did not go as planned. While improving on 2031's 69-93 record to 73-89 in 2032, the Malts still finished 4th in a tough Great Lakes division that highlighted the continued growth of the Kalamazoo Badgers, who until recently were in the same stage of rebuilding as the Malts.

"It feels like we stalled this year. We just couldn't find that consistency we needed, but it was a learning year for our kids." per Manager Bob Kramer. That is a tough pill to swallow for a team that many fans feel paid too much to improve their pitching staff last offseason. This led to the budget constraints being felt this offseason as attendance dropped ~700k from 2031 to 2032.

So with this offseason once again starting with what feels like knee-jerk reaction decisions from management, the fans are left to wonder if the recent move from Canton to Madison and yet another rebuild, is just a whole lot of the same old story for the only franchise to never make the PEBA playoffs. With owner William Marsten IV's display at the recent Winter Meetings, you may not be wrong for giving up hope..

"With the recent "lackluster" ticket sales and performance of my dear Malts.. *hiccup we have gone ahead and pushed forward with new ventures to compensate for our GM Mr. Czosnyka's poor performance.. *hic*.. the AAA Allentown Falcons have been sold to Great Lakes Brewing in Ohio, and will now be known as the Akron Ambers.. **hiccup good day! I say.. good day!"



Marsten more or less threw his GM, Michael Czosnyka, under the bus for the team's poor decision making and performance in the 2032 season. He followed that up once again by selling naming rights, stadium rights, concession rights, you name it.. of one of his minor league clubs to another alcohol distributor in the Great Lakes Brewing company of Ohio.  Additional fall out from his disgust.. and drinking; is that gone is a top prospect in pitcher Shohei Murakami, for cash to cover the teams losses and assist in paying off the team's new stadium in Madison, WI. Gone is Madison's 1st round draft pick in the 2033 rookie draft, 10th overall, as well as another stud pitching prospect in Felipe Aguilera for outfielder Taki Takata. Hopes are Takata can be the future RF the team needs, but others in the organization argue Marsten didn't want to pay the $2-$3 million dollar price tag of a 1st round draft pick. Additional talks are occurring with potentially moving fan favorite short stop Javier Torres and his contract as well.

One has to ask, who is running the show? Owner William Marsten IV and his recent drinking issues? Or GM Michael Czosnyka and a short attention span? And does either of them being in charge actually help the Malts to realize their goal of making the playoffs finally and removing the stink of a losing franchise?

Well at least we can say the Akron Ambers, despite the sell out, is a nice refreshing look compared to the old Allentown Falcons. Great Lakes Brewery paid homage to Ohio and the start of the company where they hand-delivered bottled beer to their first retailer, West Point Market in Akron, Ohio. With exclusive rights to the concessions stands, you can expect to see their full line up of beer available throughout Great Lakes Field.

In a marketing follow up, more likely a media clean up effort on how Marsten appeared at the Winter Meetings, the Malts revealed the planned "Bottle Cap Series" franchise reorganization. Attempting to make the best of ownerships continued push to align with regional beverage distributors, we now know that the remaining minor league teams;  Youngstown Thunder (AA), Middle Bass Vintners (A), and the Akutan Island Eagles (S A) are all on the list to be sold in the near future. So get your team memorabilia while you still can.



Only question is, which team is next?

- Damson Actinon, The Malthouse: Revolving Tap

[Hitmen]

The Malthouse - Madison, WI: July 11th, 2033

The question is simple, should he stay or should he go? Marcos Sánchez has got to have the Clash's hit single playing on repeat in his mind all season as he is questioned about his contract's opt out clause at least once a week this season. 

The former 13th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Sánchez made headlines in the 2030 offseason when he rejected a qualifying offer from the only team he's ever played for, the Kentucky Thoroughbreds, opting to leave and test the waters of free agency for the first time. 

Sánchez was in for the ride of his life with the 11 year career he put together in Kentucky.

• .289 AVG/ .351 OBP/ .515 SLG
• 1,422 Hits
• 270 HR
• 846 RBI
• 3x All-Star
• 1x Wild Card MVP, Divisional MVP, League Championship MVP winner
• 1x Platinum Stick Award winner
• 1x Royal Raker Award winner
• 3x appearances in the Championship series, but was unable to win it all

Marcos left Kentucky in the top 3 in almost every team hitting category, and still holds the team record for homeruns, RBI, and more infamously, strikeouts.

The offseason saw another huge 3B star hit the market as well with Luis Cedeño testing the waters. A bidding war like no other began, but in the end,  Sánchez went first to Canton (now Madison) on the 19th of December to the tune of 6-years and $197,500,000 setting the bar high. Cedeño then cleaned up the 3B market to the tune of a 6-year contract worth a total of $255,350,000 with the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo. Both teams signaling to the league that they are tired of being at the bottom.

Sánchez went on to help the rebuilding Malts while focusing on himself and what he can pass on to the game. Since joining Madison, he has gone on to join the 300+ homerun club, the 1,000+ RBI club, and is set to make his 4th All-Star appearance as a starter for the Sovereign League All-Stars tomorrow. But the question remains, is he happy?

Marcos also employees a shrewd agent that wisely built in a player opt out clause after year three of his six year contract, as well as a player option for year six. Let's be clear, Madison's rebuild has gone a lot slower than everyone expected.. myself included. They have the potential to break even at .500 this year for the first time since 2028, but still have holes to fill, a rotation that is only 3/5 defined, a farm system that is reaching its maturity quickly, and a very young team overall that is not quite hitting on all cylinders yet. Throw in the ever changing environment and franchise, new locale, and a fancy stadium; it's not hard to imagine why things are not feeling just right yet for this franchise.

Does Sánchez want to get back to the Championship picture? If so, that is unlikely in the near future in Madison with the slow build up. Regardless, he has given himself some options. Playing some elite level baseball out of the gate, Marcos was on pace for the best statistical year in his career. While that has been tempered a bit as of late, he is still on pace for one of his best years ever. So, with another $102 million still owed to him from 2034-2036, does Sánchez stick around and try to help the meandering Malts find their playoff mojo? Or does he opt out and hit the market, trying to outdo Cedeño and chase that ever elusive Championship trophy while he is showing that he is not ready to slow down just yet?

Conductor.. play me that Clash song one more time while I drink this Moon Man... this offseason will either be a big hopeful step in the right direction, or another sad blow to shrinking mojo in Madison.

- Damson Actinon, The Malthouse: Revolving Tap

[Hitmen]

The Malthouse - Madison, WI: November 8th, 2033

It didn't take long after the season ended for a major change in Madison. While this writer was worried about whether star 3B Marcos Sánchez would exercise his opt out, the biggest news is of the offloading of GM Michael Czosnyka. 

While only compiling a 338-472 record in 5 seasons with the Longshoremen/Malts, Czosnyka was able to right the ship financially and limit any long term contracts that would hamper the franchise. The Malts have improved every year since their franchise worst 111 losses in 2030 on the backs of the ongoing youth movement in Madison. 

On the brink of success and potentially the elusive playoff appearance they desperately seek, Madison is now moving on without the GM who formerly ran a banana stand long before taking the GM role. Growing disagreements with owner William Marsten IV appear to be the cause of the unexpected change. This is not the first time, but only one of many times the GM and owner did not see eye to eye.

Marsten admittedly looks to continue to grow the new brand and expand on their liquor affiliations to help the franchise further expand, but Czosnyka began proposing some additional risky trades in hopes of speeding up the franchise growth which could have had an impact on the sponsorships in Madison’s minor league systems. Marsten unwilling to move any more young stars, threw Czosnyka out of his office in a huff.

The GM was seen packing up his own office before rushing away in a taxi cab. 

Is this the end of GM Michael Czosnyka?

 - Damson Actinon, The Malthouse: Revolving Tap

[Sandgnats]

I think it's hard to evaluate rebuilding trades like with Wynn Berry for picks. He is looking pretty good right now for Crystal Lake, though. In the short term, these will almost always look better for the team acquiring the established player.

Wynn Berry