With acontinued emphasis on bullpen depth for the 2012 season, the San Francisco Giants decided to call up RHP Dan Otero. The 27-year-old Baseball Factory alum had a tremendous spring, posting a 0.90 ERA through nine relief appearances including three saves. Otero also earned the Giants 2012 Harry S. Jordan Award, given to a player in their first big league camp whose performance best portrays the Giants organization and spirit. Some of the former players that have won the award include standouts like Tim Lincecum and Pedro Feliz.

It has been a long road to the majors for Otero, but his dedication and hard work have paid off as he makes the transition to the big leagues. Before any of his accolades at the collegiate and minor league level, Otero was just another high school athlete with hopes to play at the next level.Otero joined the Baseball Factory as a junior in high school and as a result of his hard work through the Exclusive College Recruiting Program,college programs began to take notice. In addition, Otero earned a selection to the Baseball Factory Pre-Season All-American event his senior year. After a strong high school career Otero elected to attend Duke University, where he joined the Blue Devils for three seasons. During his junior year he led the team in wins (5) and ERA (2.20), but decided to transfer closer to his hometown of Coral Gables, FL for his senior season. He joined the University of South Florida in the Big East Conference, and led the team in strikeouts (87) and innings pitched (122) for the 2007 season.

In the midst of his collegiate career, Otero reached out to Baseball Factory for advice and information on the MLB Draft process.  In addition to guidance from the staff, his hard work and impressive collegiate numbers paid off and the San Francisco Giants selected him in the 21st round of the 2007 first-year player draft. After five seasons in the Giants minor league system, Otero accumulated a 10-8 record with a 1.98 ERA and 86 saves. He also received three All-Star nominations during his time playing in the minors. This year the Giants decided to add him to the 40-man roster and Otero made his first career appearance on April 7, throwing two innings in a Giants 5-4 loss.

Baseball Factory would like to congratulate Dan Otero on getting the call to the majors! We wish him the best of luck and continued success at the big league level! Check out Dan's first performance in the Bigs. Watch the video of Dan below from his high school days and one of his many filmings he did with Baseball Factory.