CLEARWATER, Fla. -- This is why Pete Mackanin loves Freddy Galvis at shortstop.
Galvis made a couple spectacular plays Thursday afternoon in a 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays in a Grapefruit League game at Spectrum Field.
"I try, man," Galvis said. "I try every day."
Blue Jays designated hitter Steve Pearce hit a ball up the middle with the bases loaded and two outs in the second, but Galvis scooped it up, spun and fired a strike to first baseman Andrew Knapp to end the inning.
"Outstanding," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.
"I think that's instincts," Galvis said of the spin and throw. "I just try to keep the ball in the infield with two outs. Then as soon as I caught I knew I had a play at first base."
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Galvis had another fantastic effort in the sixth, when Rowdy Tellez chopped a ball high into the air behind Phillies pitcher Alec Asher, who lost it in the sun. Galvis charged and made a nice throw to Knapp, but the ball popped out of Knapp's glove.
"That's one of the fastest plays I've ever made," said Galvis, who turned a 6-3 double play in the following at-bat. "I was running very hard, trying to get the ball. I knew it was going to be a bang-bang play, so I ran as fast as I can. We almost got him."

Galvis is one of the better defensive shortstops in baseball. UZR/150 (ultimate zone rate per 150 games) ranked him fifth out of 24 qualified shortstops last season. He ranked 10th in Defensive Runs Saved at +5 runs. Both of those metrics put Galvis behind Andrelton Simmons, Brandon Crawford and Francisco Lindor, who are regarded as the best defensive shortstops in baseball.
But Galvis also must improve offensively in 2017, despite hitting a career-high 20 homers last year. He had a .274 on-base percentage, which ranked last out of 146 qualified hitters in baseball. Top prospect J.P. Crawford will try to take his job at some point, but Galvis' defense means the Phillies can be patient with him.
"Freddy is special for me," Mackanin said.