St. Louis Cardinals: Nick Additon throws no hitter in Taiwan

Former St. Louis Cardinals draft pick Nick Additon fired a no hitter in the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

Nick Additon has had quite the interesting journey through baseball. Since being drafted in the 47th round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, he has bounced around the professional landscape. Additon has been a part of the Cardinals, Orioles, Brewers, and Rockies organizations, and has played in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, South Korea, and is currently plying his trade in Taiwan. The long time journeyman had six different stints in AAA, but had not been able to reach the majors.

Currently playing for the Chinatrust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, it did not take long for Additon to make his mark. On Saturday, he threw a no hitter, the eighth in the history of the league, and the first since Pat Misch fired one in 2015. This was the first no hitter for the Brothers since former major leaguer Ravelo Manzanillo threw one in 1992. Manzanillo actually threw no hitters in three countries, throwing one during his time in the minors, and in 2001 in the Mexican League as well.

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The CPBL is not nearly at the same level as other, better known, leagues like Nippon Professional Baseball or the Korean Baseball Organization. There has been a lot of instability in the league, with teams disbanding and several game fixing scandals. Players from China or Taiwan have avoided the CPBL, heading to Japan or US instead to start their professional careers, leading to a lower level of competition.

However, that does not make his feat any less impressive. Although Additon was not exactly dominant, issuing six walks, he was effective in his wildness. Additon struck out seven batters as well, keeping the opposition off balance. Those command issues were somewhat out of character however, as Additon had posted a career 3.1 BB/9 rate over his 1421 minor league innings heading into the 2018 campaign.

With more attention being paid to foreign baseball leagues, it is possible that a strong showing this year could get Additon another look at a major league job. Players such as Po-Jung Wang are considered to potentially be talented enough for the majors, even in an offensive league like the CPBL. If Additon can produce solid enough numbers, then he may get that look.

Next: Cardinals Mount Rushmore

Former St. Louis Cardinals farmhand Nick Additon has made his mark, throwing just the eighth no hitter in CPBL history.