Playing every day giving Galvis confidence
Infielder, off to torrid start, has served as utility man in past seasons
PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis said Sunday he is not surprising himself.
But he is surprising plenty of people with his torrid start to the 2015 season. Galvis went 3-for-3 in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the Braves at Citizens Bank Park, scoring a go-ahead run in the fifth inning and the necessary insurance run in the seventh inning.
Galvis is hitting .361 (22-for-61) with one double, one triple, one home run, eight RBIs and an .868 OPS in 18 games after posting a .621 OPS in 550 plate appearances in previous seasons with the Phillies and a .625 OPS in 2,631 plate appearances in his Minor League career.
He finished the afternoon fifth out of 30 qualified shortstops in OPS.
"No, my approach was good," Galvis said, asked if he is surprised with his start. "I was hitting in Spring Training, and I feel good."
Galvis said confidence is "100 percent" responsible for his improved play, and knowing he will continue to play every day helps, too. In the past, Galvis served as a utility infielder, knowing he only would have an opportunity to play for an extended period of time if Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley or another infielder was injured.
If he went 0-for-4 on a given day, he might have to sit on it for a week.
"You have the opportunity to go out there the next day and do something," Galvis said. "It gives me a lot of confidence, and I feel really good."
Said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg: "Completely different mindset from Day 1 in Spring Training. Being explained to him what his job is as an offensive player on the team. Have a good line drive, ground-ball stroke, and stay with that. He's always had a knack for defense, very creative at shortstop, very good instincts. I always thought there was no reason why his baseball instincts wouldn't take over and he would do it with the bat."