Freddy Galvis makes history, makes things hard for Phillies front office

Freddy Galvis, way back when the city was busy preparing for a red October this time of year,was supposed to be Jimmy Rollins’ heir apparent.

But the team fell off — and Galvis played average baseball.

Now, with all eyes on top prospect J.P. Crawford, most saw Galvis as a stopgap until the next era began in Citizens Bank Park.

But after the smooth fielding shortstop blasted his 20th home run Sunday against the Marlins, the 26-year-old Galvis became just the second shortstop in MLB to have 20 dingers and 10 stolen bases (the other is XanderBogaerts) and the eighth to hit 20 homers overall.

It’s a golden age for shortstops, and the Phillies will have some tough decisions to make with Galvis in coming seasons. They have to have a staple at short if they want to contend.

“I think Freddy’s defense has taken maybe not a step but several steps forward this year,” Phillies GM Matt Klentak said vis CSNPhilly.com. “He’s one of the most reliable, dependable shortstops in the league and we see it every night. It seems like every night he makes a play that certainly saves a base runner if not a run.”

Crawford has more or less underachieved during his age 21 season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, hitting just .244 with four homers and 30 RBI. But Galvis is hitting below .240 himself despite the excess in power and excellent defense.

Both will need to show they can hit for average next season, which will surely be a key milestone for the Phillies as they search for the future tennants of everyday position roles for the next contending squad.