With the fifth pick of the 2008 MLB Draft, the San Francisco Giants selected catcher Buster Posey out of Florida State University.
Three World Series rings, a National League MVP award, three All-Star Game appearances and a NL Rookie of the Year award later, Posey has cemented himself as one of the best players in the game and perhaps the top player of the 2008 draft. 32 picks later, the Giants drafted an infielder they hoped would also be a big factor in bringing championships to San Francisco.
Conor Gillaspie was drafted by the Giants with the 37th overall pick, as a supplemental first-round selection for the loss of Pedro Feliz. He never panned out quite how they hoped, but may be back with the squad this season as a backup infielder.
Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports the Giants have signed Gillaspie to a minor league deal.
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After making his big league debut with the Giants in 2008, Gillaspie only played in 29 games for San Francisco through three years. In that time, Gillaspie hit .205/.271/.295 with only one home run.
The Giants traded Gillaspie during spring training in 2013 to the Chicago White Sox for Jeff Soptic.
Gillaspie broke out for the White Sox as the team's everyday third baseman in 2014, hitting .282/.336/.416.
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But, Gillaspie couldn't replicate the same numbers last season and was purchased by the Angels after just 58 games in Chicago.
Gillaspie is a career .255/.309/.390 hitter with 25 home runs through six major league seasons.
Gillaspie is presumed to battle for a spot to backup Matt Duffy as he has major league experience at third base. He has also played first and second base as well.
