SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants added right-handers Chase Johnson, Reyes Moronta and Dan Slania to their 40-man roster on Friday, along with infielder/outfielder Orlando Calixte and infielder Miguel Gomez. The moves protected the players from the Rule 5 Draft that will be held at the Winter Meetings next month.
Johnson, 24, was a third-round pick out of Cal Poly in 2013. He made 24 appearances for Double-A Richmond and was converted from starting to relieving. In 17 appearances out of the bullpen, Johnson had a 2.30 ERA and struck out more than a batter per inning.
The 23-year-old Moronta has piled up big strikeout numbers throughout his five seasons in the system. Moronta has 263 strikeouts in 208 2/3 minor league innings and he whiffed 93 in 60 relief appearances for the San Jose Giants last year.
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At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Slania is an imposing presence who flourished after moving to the rotation. He pitched at three levels last season and opened eyes with a 1.48 ERA in 10 starts for Double-A Richmond. The 24-year-old allowed two runs and struck out 14 in two Triple-A starts.
Calixte signed as a minor league free agent earlier this month. The 24-year-old played in Double-A and Triple-A for the Royals last season, hitting .274 with 11 homers and 19 stolen bases. He played in two big league games in 2015. Calixte has played second, short and third in the minors along with all three outfield spots.
Gomez hit .330 in A-ball last year with 17 homers and 26 doubles, playing first, second and third. He turns 24 next month.
The 2016 class was smaller than the 2015 one. Last November, the Giants added eight pitchers to their 40-man roster, including three -- Ty Blach, Steven Okert and Chris Stratton -- who pitched for the big league club during the 2016 season. Two others, Adalberto Mejia and Jake Smith, broke in elsewhere. Mejia was dealt to the Twins in the Eduardo Nuñez trade and Smith made it up to the big leagues with the Padres after getting designated for assignment by the Giants.
San Francisco Giants
Clayton Blackburn, Kyle Crick and Ian Gardeck were the other players added last season. Blackburn was briefly called up to the Majors but he didn't pitch in a game. Crick spent the entire season at Double-A and Gardeck had Tommy John surgery.