Adam Ottavino Bio
Adam Robert Ottavino (born November 22, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets. Listed at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and 246 pounds (112 kg), he throws right-handed and is a switch hitter.
Early Life and Background
A native of New York City, Adam Ottavino was born in Manhattan and moved to Brooklyn when he was three years old. He attended elementary school at P.S. 39, The Henry Bristow School in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, junior high school at I.S. 240 Andries Hudde, and graduated from the Berkeley Carroll School in Park Slope in 2003. During his youth, he played in a summer developmental league with future teammate Dellin Betances, who was a couple of grades younger. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Ottavino in the 30th round of the 2003 MLB draft, but he did not sign. Ottavino enrolled at Northeastern University, where he played college baseball for the Northeastern Huskies baseball team. He holds both the Northeastern career and single-season records for strikeouts. In 2005, he was named America East Conference’s Pitcher of the Year. After the 2005 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Path to Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Adam Ottavino out of Northeastern University in the first round, with the 30th overall selection of the 2006 MLB draft. That year, he pitched for the Swing of the Quad Cities of the Class A Midwest League. He pitched for the Springfield Cardinals of the Class AA Texas League in 2008. In 2009, Ottavino pitched for the Memphis Redbirds of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL). He had an 0–9 win-loss record in the first half of the season but improved to a 7–3 record in the second half. After the 2009 season, the Cardinals added Ottavino to their 40-man roster. He began the 2010 season with Memphis and made his major league debut for the Cardinals on May 29, 2010, as a starter. He appeared in five games for the Cardinals in 2010, three of them as a starter. After the 2010 season, the Cardinals outrighted Ottavino off of their 40-man roster.
Adam Ottavino Career
Early Career (2010–2012)
After being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, Adam Ottavino began his professional career in 2010. He pitched for the Cardinals in five games that season, marking the start of his MLB journey. His time with the Cardinals was brief, as he was outrighted off the 40-man roster after the season. In 2012, the Colorado Rockies claimed Ottavino off waivers, marking a significant transition in his career.
Breakthrough (2013–2018)
Ottavino’s breakthrough came during his time with the Colorado Rockies. In 2013, he switched his uniform number to 0 and posted a 2.64 earned run average (ERA) over 51 games, showcasing his potential as a reliable relief pitcher. In 2014, he continued to excel, appearing in a career-high 75 games. However, his 2015 season was cut short due to a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery. After recovering, he returned to form in 2016, completing 37 scoreless appearances, which set a Rockies’ franchise record. In 2018, he had a standout season with a 2.34 ERA and shared the major league lead in holds.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ottavino’s signature work includes his impressive performance in the 2018 season, where he solidified his status as a top relief pitcher. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the game, including his record-setting streak of scoreless appearances.
New York Yankees and Beyond (2019–2025)
On January 24, 2019, Ottavino signed a three-year contract with the New York Yankees, becoming the first player in team history to wear uniform number 0. He had a strong 2019 season, appearing in 73 games with a 1.90 ERA. In 2021, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he made 69 appearances and contributed to the team’s postseason run. After a successful stint with the Red Sox, he signed with the New York Mets in 2022, where he continued to perform well, compiling a 2.06 ERA in 2022. In 2023, he opted out of his contract and became a free agent, marking another chapter in his career.
Adam Ottavino Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Adam Ottavino has been recognized for his outstanding performances on the field, earning nominations for various awards that highlight his contributions to the game.
Adam Ottavino Awards Won
Adam Ottavino has achieved notable success in his career, including awards that recognize his skill and dedication as a professional baseball player.
Adam Ottavino Family
Adam Ottavino is married to Brette, and they reside in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, New York City. They have three children together.
Personal Life
During his first season with the New York Yankees, Ottavino lived in his childhood neighborhood of Park Slope in Brooklyn. He is known for his commitment to family and community, often engaging with local players to help develop their skills.