Over the next 28 days Philly Pressbox (https://phillypressbox.wordpress.com) (@phillypressbox) will be doing a review and analysis of each Phillies player, Manager Charlie Manuel and the coaching staff leading up to Opening Day 2012.  On Day 22 we preview, Freddy Galvis.

Freddy Galvis – The 22 year old Venezuela native is going to get his first shot in the big leagues starting 2012. Galvis was expected to be the heir apparent to Jimmy Rollins at shortstop but the injury to Chase Utley has changed that. Galvis has never played an inning at 2^nd base in the minor leagues, 523 games at shortstop and 1 game at 3^rd base, but appears headed for the opening day lineup in place of  Utley. “The good thing about Freddy is that he’s such a heads-up player. He thinks in the game,” said Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who managed Galvis after he was promoted to the AAA Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. “He has very good instincts, and I think that’s what allows him to be ready for all the plays that do happen at second base. And he’s a very creative player. Very good at improvising and making a play. Those are good traits to have playing the middle infield. I think he’ll have no problem at second base.”

The real question about Galvis is can he hit big league pitching. A switch hitter, his minor league experience has been at the lower levels, only playing 33 games at the AAA level. His career minor league batting average is .246, however, he did hit .298 in his 33 games at Lehigh Valley. He has also hit only 18 home runs in his minor league career. Now to keep this in perspective, it’s not unusual for players to struggle at the plate when they enter the minor leagues at 17 years old. It takes time to develop physically, understand the pitching and learn discipline at the plate. The important thing for such a young player is to continue to improve. The Phillies feel that Galvis has done that and is ready for his big league shot. GM Ruben Amaro added, “I like Galvis. Has Galvis done anything to warrant us not playing him? He’s been our best player this spring,” he said. “Can he hit enough? We’ll find out, probably. We’re going to give him a chance.”

Personal Analysis:

We don’t expect a great deal from Galvis to open the season. Hopefully he can be steady in the field and hold down the fort until Utley returns. Galvis will be hitting at the bottom of the lineup so anything above a .250 batting average will be a bonus. All indications are that Galvis works his tail off and has been willing to learn throughout his minor league career. Let’s hope he maintains that attitude at the big league level. The Phils will be keeping a backup middle infielder, possibly Pete Orr since Michael Martinez will be starting the season on the DL, who will push Galvis for playing time if he doesn’t hit but we expect the Phils will give Galvis every chance to be successful while Utley is out.

Tomorrow we will preview David Herndon.

The series: Day 1, Charlie Manuel. Day 2, The Coaching Staff. Day 3, Roy Halladay. Day 4, Cliff Lee. Day 5, Cole Hamels. Day 6, Vance Worley. Day 7, Joe Blanton. Day 8, Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz. Day 9, Ryan Howard. Day 10, Chase Utley. Day 11, Jimmy Rollins. Day 12, Placido Polanco. Day 13, John Mayberry, Jr. Day 14, Shane Victorino. Day 15, Hunter Pence. Day 16, Brian Schneider. Day 17, Jim Thome. Day 18, Kyle Kendrick. Day 19, Antonio Bastardo. Day 20, Ty Wigginton. Day 21, Chad Qualls.

Feel free to click the FOLLOW button on the bottom right of this page, input your email address and receive your Philly Pressbox posts directly in your email.

We would like to thank our sponsor for their support. Please check out the new trends for Spring Phillies baseball gear. http://www.shop.com/ul!52667!Spring+baseball-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795 Also, check out the All Sports Philadelphia Team Jerseys on the following link. http://www.shop.com/ul!52674!Philly+Jersey:s-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795. Lastly, click on the business card below to see all of their items.