Cardinals sign No. 1 pick Ottavino to contract

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals on Friday signed their top pick of the draft, right-hander Adam Ottavino.

Ottavino, 21, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was the 30th overall selection in the draft held earlier this month. He had a 2.98 ERA and a school-record 120 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings last season as a junior at Northeastern, and was a first-team all-Colonial Athletic Association pick as well as the 2005 America East pitcher of the year.

Ottavino has been assigned to the Class A State College (Pa. ) Spikes, the team's new short-season affiliate. The team begins play on Tuesday.

"Adam is a Cardinal now and we look forward to a highly productive career from him," said Jeff Luhnow, Cardinals vice president of player procurement. "It was important to get him signed prior to the rookie season commencing, and now he can join his teammates for opening day in State College."

The Cardinals have signed 23 of their draft picks.

-- AP