Giants get pitcher Soptic in trade with White Sox

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants acquired Jeff Soptic, a lively armed Minor League right-hander, from the Chicago White Sox for third baseman Conor Gillaspie.

Soptic, 21, was rated by Baseball America as possessing the best fastball in the White Sox organization. Bobby Evans, San Francisco's vice president of baseball operations, said that Soptic will report to San Francisco's Minor League camp and likely will begin the season at Class A San Jose.

Soptic, Chicago's third-round selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, began last season in extended spring training.

"That's not uncommon with a high-velocity guy who needs to work on his command," Evans said.

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound reliever has 38 strikeouts and 31 walks in 46 innings spanning 30 professional appearances.

Gillaspie, 25, had no chance of surpassing Pablo Sandoval and Joaquin Arias on the third-base depth chart. Unlike many other Giants, Gillaspie played only one position, making it tougher for him to fit into manager Bruce Bochy's plan.

"As much as we'd like to have him, it looks like there's not going to be an opportunity," Evans said.

A sandwich pick (37th overall) in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Gillaspie held the distinction of reaching the Major Leagues faster than any other Giants draftee -- 96 days. It was widely speculated that Gillaspie's promotion was negotiated into his deal with the Giants, for whom he hit .205 (9-for-29) with one home run and four RBIs in 29 games in parts of three seasons. In the Minors, Gillaspie batted .287 with 37 home runs and 259 RBIs in 514 games.

The Giants now have 39 players on their 40-man roster and 69 players in big league camp this spring.