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Philadelphia Phillies: Freddy Galvis demoted to NPB minor leagues

By David Hill

Sep 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (8) reacts after hitting a single against the Baltimore Orioles during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (8) reacts after hitting a single against the Baltimore Orioles during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Freddy Galvis appeared to be getting out at the right time. Instead of waiting through the lockout, the former Philadelphia Phillies infielder signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball. Surprisingly, it was a two year deal, as Galvis wanted more than just a soft landing spot before trying his luck again.

At this point, it is safe to say that this deal has not worked out as anyone could have hoped. Galvis has struggled mightily with the Hawks, to the point where he has been demoted to the minors in hope that he can find his form once more.

Former Philadelphia Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis struggling in Japan

Galvis appeared likely to receive a major league offer at some point this offseason. He had a solid track record over his ten years in the majors which continued with his respectable .242/.302/.407 batting line in 394 plate appearances between the Orioles and Phillies last year. With his defensive versatility and solid pop (14 homers and 15 doubles in 2021), a major league opportunity should have been there.

Instead, Galvis gambled by heading to Japan. That decision is not working out thus far, as he had just nine hits, including a homer and a double, in his 79 plate appearances before his demotion. That home run and those four RBI all came during the opening weekend as well, making his struggles even more apparent.

It is fair to wonder what the future will hold for Galvis. In the best case scenario, this was just a matter of his needing to adjust to a new country and culture, something that was taking longer than anyone could have expected. That time in the minors will allow him to get settled and find himself once more.

But it is possible that Galvis will not be able to adjust. Baseball may well be the same, but this is a major change. This is also not going the way that either Galvis or the Hawks had expected. Despite that two year deal, the Hawks could look to just cut their losses if he continues to struggle.

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Freddy Galvis has been demoted by the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. The former Philadelphia Phillies infielder is not performing as expected in NPB.

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