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Phillies: Mackanin’s handling of Galvis proves ineptitude

By George Stockburger

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 04: Manager Pete Mackanin of the Philadelphia Phillies walks back to the dugout after changing pitchers in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 04: Manager Pete Mackanin of the Philadelphia Phillies walks back to the dugout after changing pitchers in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Phillies manager Pete Mackanin is grasping for straws in the midst of what’ll likely be a 100-loss season.

Pete Mackanin continues to baffle Phillies fans with lineups and game decisions that make little to no sense. His latest move playing Gold Glove candidate Freddy Galvis in center field just takes the cake.

With prospect J.P. Crawford expected to join the team in September, the Phillies have experimented by playing many players in varying positions. Crawford has gotten time at third and second in the minors, and second base prospect Scott Kingery has played third and short as well.

I’m all for having versatile players, in particular on a team with more questions than answers. But playing Galvis in center field makes little to no sense.

At 27-years-old Galvis is the leader in the clubhouse, and has publically stated he plans on playing in 162 games this season. If Mackanin wishes to honor that request, he’ll have to move Galvis and Crawford across the diamond.

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Again, I’m not totally against allowing Galvis to play another position if it means Crawford receives reps at short. What I am against is seeing a Gold Glove caliber infielder playing center field.

If Mackanin were to remove anyone from the infield, it should be Cesar Hernandez, who has 190 innings recorded in center field. Hernandez is at best an above average fielder at second, and if Galvis were to be moved, I’d try him at second base. When Galvis first arrived in the big leagues, he started the majority of games at second in place of the injured Chase Utley.

Unless the franchise intends to trade Galvis, he should be viewed as the shortstop of the future. No matter how heralded Crawford’s glove is you know what you’re going to get with Galvis. You’re getting a player who was a finalist in the Gold Glove voting and is likely to be in the same position this season.

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Play Crawford at all three of the middle/left infield positions in as many games possible. If Kingery arrives, give him those opportunities as well. But don’t forgo the defense of Galvis going forward. Give Crawford the reps at short, but know Galvis is the man going forward as long as he’s on the team.

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