 His performance earned him a promotion to the Triple-A Charleston Charlies in 1973.He was briefly promoted to the major leagues, making his debut for the Pittsburg Pirates as an Outfielder playing Right Field on a road trip in San Diego on June 10, 1974 at the age of 22 before returning to play for Charleston.The Pirates asked Ott to become a Catcher during the 1974 season and while he initially opposed the move, he eventually agreed as it presented him with the easiest path to return to the major leagues.