White Sox trade for Conor Gillaspie

Former first-round draft pick Conor Gillaspie is now with the Chicago White Sox, where he'll hope to prove himself as a corner infielder worthy of making the 25-man roster out of spring training.

By Rodger Sherman Feb 22, 2013, 1:03pm EST

The Chicago White Sox acquired a player who could potentially serve as Jeff Keppinger's backup at third base, trading with the San Francisco Giants for Conor Gillaspie.

South Side Sox's take on acquiring Gillaspie

Gillapsie, 25, was a first-round draft pick of the Giants in 2008, and has appeared in 29 major league games. He played in six games last year for San Francisco. But he's spent most of the past two seasons at the Triple A level with Fresno, combining to hit .289 with 25 homers. He's been in the major leagues three times, meaning if he doesn't make the 25-man roster out of spring training, the team can't option him down to the minor leagues without putting him past waivers.

Gillaspie could contend for more major league at-bats this season behind Keppinger. The White Sox already have a 25-year-old third baseman on the roster in Brent Morel, who hit just .177 last season in 35 games.

To get Gillaspie, the team had to trade away Jeff Soptic, a third-round draft pick in 2011 who had a 5.40 ERA in Single A ball last year. They also designated Lars Anderson, a 25-year-old first baseman who hit .250 in Triple A last year.