Ex-Gull Otero Makes Giant Step to Big Leagues
By Don Leypoldt
What do you call a sophomore pitcher with a 5-11 record, not a lot of strikeouts and a 5.80 ERA for a 14-39 team?
Try “Major Leaguer.”
San Francisco Giant and former Newport Gull Dan Otero became the 77th NECBL alumnus to reach the Big Leagues when he broke with the 2010 World Champions and debuted on April 7th against the Diamondbacks.
The Miami-native and Duke Blue Devil arrived in Newport at the end of his sophomore season in 2005. His time as a Gull helped Otero ultimately make it to baseball’s most elite level.
“Honestly, that was one of the best summers of my life at that time,” Otero recalled. “I had come off a bad season at Duke and went there and had an unbelievable summer. I had a great host family. An unbelievable team. The camaraderie we had on that team was awesome.
“I had success which helped me to get over the hump of having success at that level. We capped it all off by winning the championship, and you don’t get to play for many championships in baseball at any level. It was neat to have that experience to share with those guys. It was a great group of guys. “
Otero went back to college and cut his ERA better than half. Transferring to South Florida, Otero was a Giants’ senior sign in the 21st round. San Francisco converted him from a starter to reliever. It made an enormous difference.
“It was a little bit of both,” Otero replied on whether it was a physical or mental adjustment to relieving. “You have to be ready every single day. Physically, it’s a little different since as a starter, you can pick and chose when you want to long toss because you know when you are throwing.
“As a reliever, you have to be available every day no matter what. Mentally and physically, you have to be as close to 100% daily. It’s a grind, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
During his summer in Newport in which he posted a 1.87 ERA, Otero struck out 49 and walked just three in 57.2 innings. That exceptional command has always been his trademark. In 213 Minor League innings, Otero gave out just 30 free passes.
“It was something preached to me from my Dad. He always said ‘Don’t walk guys. Throw strikes.’ I pride myself on throwing a lot of strikes,” Otero stated, “and making the hitters put it in play. When you walk a guy, you’re not giving your defense a chance to make a play so it’s pointless. When they hit it, I give the seven guys behind me a chance to make a play and we have a better chance to get the out.”
Except for his time in the California League- the notorious hitter’s league where ERAs go to die and where Cy Young himself would post lousy numbers- Otero never had a Minor League ERA below 3.25. “The Giants gave me a fair opportunity to prove myself. That is all I can ask for,” Otero offered.
The Giants took notice of Otero’s consistent excellence and changed his life in early April. He described, “April 4th was our last exhibition game against Oakland, at home in San Francisco. That was the final day for decisions. I got called into the manager’s office the morning before the game. He told me to sit down and he said ‘Congratulations. You made the team.’ I’ll remember that day forever. That was obviously an exciting day for me.
“”The next day, we flew out to Arizona and played three games. I was put into the second game. My first batter was Justin Upton, so that was neat facing an All-Star proven player like that. My parents and fiancée were in town, so I was able to have them there. I’ll always remember that.”
Making and staying with the Giants was pressure-filled enough. But when San Francisco learned early this season that they would be without the services of New Hampshire-native and closer extraordinaire Brian Wilson, it forced the other members of the bullpen to contribute that much more.
The 6’3” righty has handled it though. Otero had a 2.70 ERA- and yielded just one walk- in his first six outings. He is also adroitly handling life as a Big Leaguer.
“There is definitely a little bit of an adjustment because we’re a bigger city,” he said. “San Francisco is a bit faster pace. You have some more responsibilities off the field. But I wouldn’t say the adjustment is that big. You just have to get used to the new surroundings.
“With the Minor Leagues, you room with guys on the road. You live with guys in an apartment at home. Here, everything is on your own. People have families. It was an adjustment but I’m getting more comfortable each day.”
Dan Otero’s Advice to the 2012 NECBL-“Enjoy it! The summer with those guys: (Gulls’ officers) Chuck Paiva, Chris Patsos and Ron Westmoreland- those three guys are there to help you, and they’ll do anything for you. I used it as a spring board to further my baseball career. Take out of it what you can and really enjoy the summer up there.”
Note: Otero was selected to be inducted into the Newport Gulls Hall of Fame this past January.
