Pronunciation:
Last name is pronounced "MOT".

Current Contract:
Contract renewable through 2009.

Became a Cardinal:
Selected in the 19th round (575th overall) of the June 2003 First-Year Player Draft.

2006 Season:
Entering the season with a career .188 average, Motte decided to give-up catching in May and pursue a career as a pitcher. Motte joined short-season Class A State College in June, and went 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA, striking out 25 in 26.1 innings of work. Promoted to low Class A Quad Cities in August, Motte posted a 4.97 ERA in eight games for the Swing.

Career Notes:
A 19th round selection by the Cardinals in the 2003 draft out of Iona College, Motte spent the first three years of his professional career and the first month of the 2006 season as a catcher. But after hitting a combined .190 while racking up 160 assists in 181 games as a backstop, the 24-year-old headed to extended spring training in early May in order to be converted into a pitcher.

In 2005, Motte went on the disabled list for High-A Palm Beach on June 29 with a right thumb fracture that would require surgery and cause him to miss the remainder of the season.

Photo: MLB Photos