Galvis impressing Padres in bid for Gold Glove
MILWAUKEE -- If the Padres' clubhouse got to vote, it'd be unanimous: Freddy Galvis would win the National League Gold Glove Award at shortstop.
"He's definitely the best shortstop I've ever had play behind me," reliever Craig Stammen said.
"His internal clock is better than anyone's I've ever seen," added William Myers.
"It doesn't even surprise me anymore when he does something ridiculous," outfielder Travis Jankowski said.
"His baseball IQ is off the charts," closer Kirby Yates said.
"Nobody's as automatic as him on the routine play," manager Andy Green said.
Indeed, Galvis does everything defensively. And he does everything well. But it might be an uphill climb in the NL, where shortstops like Arizona's Nick Ahmed, San Francisco's Brandon Crawford and Chicago's Addison Russell garner plenty of acclaim.
Galvis currently ranks behind all three with nine Defensive Runs Saved. But he's closing the gap. With plays like the one he made on Tuesday night against the Brewers, it's easy to see why.
A day later, the visiting clubhouse at Miller Park was still abuzz. Galvis ranged to his right and made an excellent sliding stop. Then, he made a perfect throw from his knees to first base, nailing Lorenzo Cain, one of the game's faster runners.
"I'm appreciative," said Stammen, who was on the mound for Galvis' gem. "He's made so many nice plays for me that he's a big contributor to my success."
Stammen isn't the only one. Consider these defensive gems Galvis has made in the past month:
• On Sunday in Chicago, Galvis prevented the go-ahead run from scoring in the seventh with a brilliant diving play and sidearm flip for an inning-ending forceout at second base.
• Earlier in that series, Galvis made an incredible sliding catch with his back to home plate, robbing Albert Almora Jr. of a hit.
• Late last month, Galvis made an excellent backhanded pick of a sharp Nick Hundley one-hopper. Then, he had the presence of mind to make an off-balance throw to third base, catching Chase d'Arnaud in a rundown.
• The consensus best play from Galvis came before the All-Star break against the Dodgers, when Justin Turner hit a slow chopper up the middle. In one motion, Galvis made a diving stop, then spun from his knees while blindly throwing to first for the out.
Galvis has never won a Gold Glove Award, with Andrelton Simmons and Crawford combining to win the last five in the NL. But Galvis has been a finalist each of the past two years, and he could be headed for a third straight nomination.
"Everybody, if you play any position every day, you want to win a Gold Glove," said Galvis, who has started at shortstop for the Padres every game this season. "I ain't going to lie to you -- I want to win one. I'm just going to keep working and see what happens."
Myers on the mend
Myers resumed running during the team's pregame warmups, marking the first time he's done so since he sustained a bone bruise in his left foot last Thursday in Chicago.
Myers -- who is hitting .273/.317/.517 this season but has been limited to 44 games because of a handful of injuries -- remains optimistic he'll return on Monday, when his 10-day stint on the disabled list is over.
Weekend rotation set
The Padres set their rotation for this weekend's series against Philadelphia. Jacob Nix, the team's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will debut Friday night. Walker Lockett is expected to start Saturday, with Joey Lucchesi going Sunday.
That gives the Padres a six-man rotation, at least temporarily. It's unclear how long they'll run with that plan. Both Lockett and Thursday's starter, Robbie Erlin, have spent time as long men in the bullpen this season.