Five minutes with Freddy Galvis

Playing at: Lehigh Valley (AAA)

Position: Shortstop.

Age: 21.

Born: Nov. 14, 1989,

in Punto Fijo, Falcon, Venezuela.

Height: 5-10. Weight: 170.

Bats: Both. Throws: Right.

How acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent, July 2, 2006.

This season: Started in Reading and moved up to Lehigh Valley on Aug. 2. Galvis is hitting .318 in 19 games at Triple A heading into last night . . . Was hitting .273 with a career-high eight homers in 422 at-bats in Reading . . . Generally batting at the bottom of the order for Lehigh Valley, where his 21 hits include 18 singles, two doubles and a triple.

The future: Galvis is the shortstop of the future, but with Jimmy Rollins a potential free agent this offseason, is that future 2012? He's awfully green and would be a much easier sell if the Phillies win the World Series.

That's a switch: Is a natural righthanded hitter, but became a switch-hitter on the advice of a coach when he was a 14-year-old to make him a more attractive prospect.

Favorite players: Omar Vizquel, Roberto Alomar.

Growing up: Reared in a rough part of town in Punto Fijo. "I grew up in the 'hood," he said, surprisingly throwing in a little English slang. "It was a hard area, but it was good, too. We played in the streets, basketball, baseball, football, soccer."

Most memorable athletic moment: Beating Hawaii to win the 2006 Senior League World Series when Galvis, who couldn't start because of a shoulder injury, scored the game-winner as a pinch-runner. "We played together for like 8 years and that was our last year together," he said. "Some guys went off to college, some of us signed."

Cleaning up: His only job as a kid was washing cars as a 12-year-old. A good day was $20.

Most famous people in his phone: Astros reliever Sergio Escalona, who was a roommate of Galvis' in Reading last year. Phillies' reserve Michael Martinez, another former roomie.

Person in history he'd most like to meet: Omar Vizquel, a 13-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop and a Venezuelan icon.

Toughest thing ever had to deal with: Coming to the United States as 16-year old after signing with the Phillies. He hit .203 with Williamsport that 2007 season. "That was tough, leaving my family and friends behind," he lamented.

Family treasures: If homesickness strikes, Galvis will pop in a home movie, especially of older brother Irfred, the comedian of the family.

Happiest when: Fielding, particularly on slow grounders where he has to hurry to beat the hitter.

Best advice he ever got: Came from his father, Freddy, who he talks to everyday. "He told me to be aware of everybody. You can't trust everybody."

Dream dinner guests: Vizquel, soccer star Ronaldinho, and White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "He's a funny guy," Galvis said, laughing.

- Ed Barkowitz