He went to Arizona State University, stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88 kg).

The Cardinals promoted him from their top affiliate, the Springfield Redbirds, in May 1980 and he worked in 55 games for St. Louis during the next two seasons.

He earned his only MLB victory on May 14, 1981, when he pitched a scoreless eighth inning of relief against the Houston Astros.

When he entered the game, the Cardinals trailed 6–3, but in the top of the ninth inning, they rallied for four runs to take the lead, and Baseball Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter nailed down the save for a 7–6 St. Louis triumph.

[1] As a Major Leaguer, Otten allowed 150 hits and 67 bases on balls in 118⅔ innings pitched, with 75 strikeouts.