Galvis starts hot in winter ball; no left for Ruf
Four days into Venezuelan winter ball play and Freddy Galvis has made a splash in his return to organized baseball while Darin Ruf is awaiting his chance to gain experience in left field.
Galvis starts hot in winter ball; no left for Ruf
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Four days into Venezuelan winter ball play and Freddy Galvis has made a splash in his return to organized baseball while Darin Ruf is awaiting his chance to gain experience in left field.
Galvis had not played in a game since June 6 because of a fractured back and performance-enhancing drug suspension. He was 4 for 5 in his first Venezuelan game and is 8 for 18 in four games total with two home runs and a double.
Galvis, 22, is playing shortstop for Aguilas del Zulia. He could be starting at third base for the Phillies on April 1.
Meanwhile, Ruf has started three of four games for Tiburones de La Guaira. Each time he has batted cleanup. But twice he has served as designated hitter and once as first baseman.
Ruf is hitting 1 for 12 with a double and four strikeouts.
When discussing Ruf's winter plans, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said he expected Ruf would primarily play left field in Venezuela. It is a position both team and player believe requires more work time. The Phillies, of course, do not have any say in how winter league teams manage their rosters. They can reach out to teams with suggestions or requests.
The director deportivo of Tiburones is Jorge Velandia, who is the Phillies' assistant minor-league field coordinator.
"He's going to be playing for Jorge Velandia, so he will be out in left field every day," Amaro said in late September. "It should be a good experience for him."
So far, it has yet to happen. There is time; they play a 63-game schedule in Venezuela. But this is a situation worth watching.
Other notable Phillies in winter ball:
OF Tyson Gillies (Venezuela): 7 for 15, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B
2B Cesar Hernandez (Venezuela): 3 for 13, 4 R, 4 SB
C Sebastian Valle (Puerto Rico): 2 for 6, 2 R, 1 HR
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2 home runs in 4 games? He's still juicing or they're playing on a little league field.— JBinPA- "He's going to be playing for Jorge Velandia, so he will be out in left field every day," Amaro said in late September. "It should be a good experience for him."
I think even Amaro's staunchest supporters would acknowledge that he is not a prophet. In reality, getting from the locker room to first base involves going through left field so Amaro spoke a verifiable truth, Ruf, going and coming, is in left field literally every day. And it's a good experience as well.
— Claudio Vernight - I predict Galvis will hit at least .270 next season and will have 3/4 as many RBI's as JRoll.— foreclosure11
- If you look at the numbers of Galvis and Rollins at the time Galvis went on the DL, Galvis wasn't much worse. Of course, Rollins was pretty much stinking it up at the time. But I think you have to continue to see what Galvis can do before assuming he'll never be able to hit. He showed a good head for the game and also for situational hitting in his limited time in the majors.
I would think Gillies, Hernandez and Valle would all get good looks at spring training.— s - I am on board with giving Galvis a shot at 3B in 2013. The 3B free agent class is brutal. Hopefully, the money gets spent on an 8th inning set up man and at least one, hopefully two legitimate major league starting outfielders. If I am guessing, BJ Upton is next year's CF and the other outfielder will be acquired with a Ruben Amaro "Nobody saw that coming" trade. The Nationals had their opportunity with the Phillies having an off year. Things aren't going to be so easy down in DC next year. Book it, Harry.— syddan26
- The only thing I will give into is moving Rollins to 3B, given his penchant for swinging for the fences and moving him to the 5th or 6th slot, thereby given light hitting Freddy Galvis a shot at SS and leading off.
Never happen. But worth a shot.— 24sDad - I would rather have Galvis at 3rd than Chase Headly. If Utley is healthy this season, that could also make things interesting.— Sane1
- When you come off a clunker of a season and then what you said was going to happen in winter ball doesn't happen immediately, it makes you look like you have no power and or your message doesn't get to where it needs to. That is an embarassment. As for Galvis, seriously, how do we not know he is still juicing it? Don't say because he would not risk it a 2nd time because there are others who have been caught a 2nd time...— Friend to All
- I'm juicing now, I'm 50 and I'm going to try out in Clearwater this spring. I'm gonna beat Ryan Howard out of that first base spot. All I have to do is strikeout one a game instead of three times a games. That's how I figure it!— phillynupe4
- This is huge! Galvis is 8 fo 18 with two dingers in 4 games of Venezuelan ball? I'm sure Matt Cain, RA Dickey, Madison Baumgardner and all the other stud NL starters are laying in bed awake at night now. "Oh man, that Galvis, boy, he's going to eat me alive." But seriously, let's trade Ruiz for prospects because with Galvis on our roster next year, we have all the power we need.— eman
- Gillies 7 for 15! Amaro doesn't execute what he says. Last October after the Cards he noted the need to improve fundamentals & for professional hitting to be more selective. After already adding Pence who refuses to do anything except his way, he re-signs Jo Roll & gets Ty Wigginton as his "big" addition to help. Wiggy & Pence's defense & poor situation at bats with RISP contributed nearly as much as RAJ's bullpen disaster & injuries. Hopefully Ruf gets time & the young Phillies & no injuries can add enough to overcome the front office. Go Phils 2013!— phillies6pack
- @fiendtoall: If he's dumb enough to do it a second time, that's on him. Remember, there were times he was hot even in the majors, and he was hitting well when he broke his back after a very slow start( he had 25 RBI by Memorial day, so he was on a pace for 75), so I'll look at the one violation for what it was. Galvis says it was from ingesting steroid containing meat in his native country ( no FDA down there); I'm pretty skeptical of that, but if he chooses to throw away another chance, I won't blame the Phils.— drbob1
- Baby Bonds LOL. WASTE OF TIME.He'll probably juice his way to the hof like barry.— tobyjoe
- Galvis at 3rd is a terrible idea. This is a power position and he has no power and will barely hit above 200. Galvis rather than Headly.....seriously? leading off? If he's even on the roster and has to play, he should bat 8th and when Lee and Hammels are pithing, bat him 9th. He needs to spend at least another year or two in the minors.— Short Circuit 3
- Very true that 3rd is typically a power position. But typically teams do not have players at 2nd and SS with the kind of power Utley and Rollins have so the Phils can go with a lighter-hitting guy at 3rd and still have plenty of pop in the lineup. — MadChemist13
