Giants sign Jesus Christian to minor league deal

It doesn’t matter if most of the San Francisco Giants’ employees were shaking hands and kissing babies at the largest turnout ever for the team’s annual Fan Fest Saturday. The front office guys were treating it like any other day.

The Giants signed 18-year old Dominican Republic league All-Star pitcher Simon Mercedes earlier today and now comes word from Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that the World Series champs have signed outfielder Justin Christian to a minor league contract.

Christian, who will turn 31 in a couple of months, spent last year playing in the New York Yankees’ minor league system, where he batted .289/.366/.435 with 22 steals and nearly as many walks (48) as strikeouts (56) in 468 plate appearances, mostly at Double-A.

He was brilliant in the Mexican Pacific League this winter, hitting .356/.452/.561 with 22 doubles, ten homers, 24 steals (one caught stealing), 44 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 253 at-bats.

In 2008, Christian hit .250/.302/.325 with seven steals in 43 plate appearances for New York (his only big league experience). He’s spent the majority of his career in the outfield (all three spots), but he’s seen work at second base and shortstop.

Christian did not get an invitation to spring training.