Nick

Additon

Additon posted a 4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 117/38 K/BB ratio in 131 2/3 innings this summer for the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee. The 25-year-old left-hander was a 47th-round pick in the 2006 draft.

Additon was cut loose from the Brewers’ minor league system after posting a rough 5.33 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 74 1/3 innings this season at Triple-A Colorado Springs. The 27-year-old left-hander is nothing more than organizational depth for the Orioles.

Additon had allowed 17 runs -- 10 earned -- in 12 2/3 innings to begin the season. The finesse left-hander went 11-5 with a 2.23 ERA between low Single-A Quad Cities and Palm Beach last year. He doesn’t rate as one of the Cardinals’ best pitching prospects, but he also can’t be dismissed completely.

The Cards are using tandem starters at Quad Cities, so even when a starter is pitching well, he only goes four or five innings. It tends to obscure just how well (or badly) some of the guys are pitching. In his last three appearances, Additon has allowed one hit and fanned 17 in 13 scoreless innings. The 20-year-old lefty is at 5-2 with a 2.30 ERA in eight starts and six relief appearances for the season. Despite a somewhat below average, he’s turning into a sleeper.

The deal does not include an invite to spring training. Additon turns 27 this month and compiled a 3.86 ERA and 92/48 K/BB ratio over 119 innings this season with the Orioles’ Double- and Triple-A affiliates.