Giants in the minors: SF signs Frandsen, Beltre, Kobernus, loses Correia, keeps Ishikawa, Cordier and McGehee (for now)

Mar 22, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Engel Beltre (43) scores a run in the seven inning and is high fived by Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. The Royals won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco signs outfielder, utility-man for depth

A tier below the Frandsen signing are another pair of no-risk moves: the additions of utility-man Jeff Kobernus and outfielder Engel Beltre.

Kobernus is a former second-round draft choice (2009 by the Nationals) and another kid with local roots (Oakland-bred Cal graduate). He notched a bit of big-league action with the Nats from 2013-14 but has not lived up to expectations thus far in his young career. Kobernus’ best tool is easily speed, as he’s swiped 40-plus bags at every level in the Minors.

Beltre, who, by the way, has no relation to a certain star third baseman the Giants might be interested in, has also been a bit of a bust. This Beltre was once a top-100 prospect (No. 62 and 68 from 2008-2009), but his only service time in the bigs came with the Rangers in 2013. He missed most of 2014 due to injury, however, and supposedly has plus-defense in terms of arm strength and ability to cover ground.

Keep an eye on these mid-twenty-somethings—both have plenty of time to resurrect their careers in the Giants’ system.