 Mottola started the 1995 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class-AA Southern League, receiving a promotion to the Class-AAA Indianapolis Indians of the International League that season.Despite his minor league success, Mottola's path to the Reds was blocked by outfielders Reggie Sanders, Curtis Goodwin, Eric Davis, Vince Coleman, Mike Kelly, Steve Gibraltar and Eric Anthony, all of whom the Reds had in spring training that season.General Manager Jim Bowden commented that Mottola needed more minor league seasoning before he would be promoted to the Reds.