Freddy Galvis winter-league season will end on Dec. 15, according to Phillies assistant general manager Benny Looper.
Wed like to shut him down, get him a break, and get him into his off-season conditioning program, Looper said of the Phillies highly regarded shortstop prospect.
Galvis, 22, is currently playing for Zulia in his native Venezuela. He was hitting just .218 in his first 29 games.
The Phillies shortstop position could be one of transition if Jimmy Rollins signs elsewhere in the coming weeks. If Rollins leaves, it is likely the Phillies would look to plug the position with a veteran, but Galvis could get a look in spring training and take over the position later in the season or in 2013. Galvis has always been a top defender. His stock in the system rose during the 2011 season when he hit .278 in 137 games at Double A and Triple A.
He did everything better in 2011, Looper said.
Looper believes that physical strength added during a conditioning program last winter helped Galvis, who is generously listed at 5-10 and weighs about 180 pounds. Thats why the club wants him to stop playing on Dec. 15 and focus on getting his body ready for what figures to be an important spring training.
Freddy understands the importance of this, Looper said. He saw results last season.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com