Pronunciation
Last name is pronounced "OTT-A-VINO".

Current Contract
Contract renewable though 2012.

Became a Cardinal
Selected in the first round (30th overall) of the June, 2006 First-Year Player Draft. Received a $950,000 signing bonus.

2008 Season
It was an ugly season for the former first round draft pick. He spent the entire season at Double-A Springfield, posting a record of 3-7 with a bloated 5.23 ERA. He made 24 starts, pitching 115.1 innings, giving up 16 home runs and 52 walks, while allowing opposing batters to hit .291, making it a rough ride for the entire year. Ottavino played in the Arizona Fall League at the end of the season.

2007 Season
The Cardinals top pick in the 2006 draft (30th overall), Adam spent the entire ‘07 season at Palm Beach (A), earning midseason and postseason Florida State League All-Star honors. He ranked 2nd in the Florida State League with 12 wins and 3rd with a 3.08 ERA and 128 strikeouts. His 27 starts ranked T-3rd in the FSL. He went 9-3 with a 2.73 ERA (82.1 IP / 25 ER) in 14 starts after the FSL All-Star break (6/15-17).

For the record book, he ended up with 12 wins and an ERA of 3.08, both of which were record setting for the Palm Beach Cardinals organization.

2006 Season
Ottavino made six starts after being drafted for short-season Class A State College, going 2-2 with a 3.14, allowing 23 hits, striking out 26 and walking 13 in 28.2 innings with opponents hitting .211 against him. He was promoted to low Class A Quad Cities on July 20, and went 2-3 with a 3.44 ERA, allowing 28 hits, striking out 38 and walking 19 in 36.2 innings with opponents hitting .211 against him.

Player Awards
Birdhouse Top 40 Prospect 2008: #5
Birdhouse Top 40 Prospect 2007: #5
Scout.com Cardinals A+ Starter of the Year 2007
FSL Mid-Season All-Star 2007
FSL Postseason All-Star 2007

Photo: St. Louis Cardinals