Chase Utley

2013

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2012

Utley missed the first 47 games of last season with patellar tendinitis in his knee and then played through the injury for the rest of the season. His numbers took a hit due to the decreased number of at-bats, but he also posted his lowest batting average since his 2003 season. There are some positive signs despite Utley's recent injury problems. His BABIP was much lower than his career average last season, leaving us to believe there is a good chance we see a rebound there. He also managed to swipe 14 bags despite playing through a knee problem, and he'll continue to hit near the top of an above average offensive lineup in Philadelphia. Utley's HR/FB rate was also well below his established career rate last season, but the knee issue could be partly to blame for that as he was unable to do strengthening exercises on his legs in order to avoid aggravating his knee injury. Utley's knee makes him a risky bet moving forward as he could be forced to go under the knife if his stretching program fails to get him through another season. He is also a risk to see his production drop in the second half if leg strengthening exercises can't be incorporated into his workouts.

2011

Utley missed a significant chunk of time last season with a severely sprained thumb. That injury took a toll on his counting stats, but he may not have topped 30 home runs or 20 steals even if he had played the whole year. Utley is no longer the premier second baseman in baseball, but he remains one of the better fantasy options at the position. He still has a good eye at the plate, and if he stays healthy the power should return. We wouldn't expect him to swipe more than 20 bags again in a season, however. He's still a fine investment in fantasy drafts at a fairly thin position.

2010

Utley showed no ill effects from hip surgery that he had prior to the 2009 season and showed why he is considered one of the best, if not the best, second baseman in the game. His power numbers were right in line with his 2008 output and he stole a career-high 23 bases. He benefits from hitting in front of a run producer in Ryan Howard and behind two players, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, who get on base and have the speed to get into scoring position. The Phillies' top six hitters will all be returning in 2010 and there is little reason to believe the team won't score a ton of runs again this year. Another 20-plus steal season may not be on tap this year but another performance justifying a high draft pick should be expected from Utley again this season.

2009

Having finished with a .292 batting average, 33 home runs, 104 RBI, 114 runs and 15 stolen bases, Utley would have been a borderline first-rounder and probably the top-ranked second baseman had it not been for the hip surgery he underwent in late November. He was given a four-to-six month timetable for recovery at the time of his procedure and, as it stands now, will likely miss the first month of the season and could be sidelined into May. The speediness of his recovery will be one to keep a keen eye on throughout spring training, as owners should be as up-to-date as possible regarding Utley’s status on draft day to correctly determine what he'll actually be able to provide this season.

2008

Utley continued his dominance as perhaps the best second baseman in baseball. Even though he missed a month of the season with a hand injury, Utley had a career-high .322 batting average, .410 on-base percentage and his power numbers stayed relatively consistent. Utley stroked a career-high 48 doubles and 22 homers to go along with his 103 RBI's. Expect him to keep up the impressive production next season while manning the middle of the Phillies' potent lineup.

2007

Utley continued his emergence as perhaps the best second baseman in baseball. In 2006, he reached career highs in average, home runs, runs, hits and extra-base hits. Interestingly, his OPS was actually lower than in 2005—he simply played 13 more games in 2006 to rack up more numbers. Utley uses a compact, strong swing and waits on pitches extremely well. He is primarily a pull hitter for power but will spray the ball when he feels overpowered. Nothing but blue skies ahead as long as he stays healthy.

2006

Utley took a giant leap forward last year to post the best OPS, .915, of all regular major league second basemen. He hit for good average and power in the first half (.303, 11 HR) and even more power in the second (.280, 17 HR). But wait, there's more: He improved his batting eye, stole 16 bases and made strides on hitting lefthanders (.220, .823 OPS) after starting the year slowly against them. Even if Utley performs at 80 percent of these levels, he'll be valuable.

2005

Utley graduated to the majors in 2004 with style, showing good contact, power and defense at second base. He struggled against lefthanders (.200) and could stand to draw more walks. He might be pushed to third base down the road by a prospect, or if his defense becomes a problem. Barring injury or a spring-training meltdown, he will be the Phillies' second baseman, and will be a good one.

2004

Utley took advantage of the injuries to Placido Polanco and David Bell to get a number of starts late in the season. Utley led the Phillies' minor league system in batting average at .323. He might see more time next season if Bell continues to struggle or can't recover from the back injuries that sidelined him last year.

2003

In 2002, Utley, 23, jumped a level to Class AAA Scranton and also switched positions from second base to third as the club hoped he would eventually replace Scott Rolen. That was before the Phillies signed David Bell. Utley will probably shift back to second base. For Scranton, he hit .263 with 17 homers and 70 RBI in 464 AB and stole eight bases. He's been tearing it up at the Arizona Fall League (.350, four homers, 15 RBI, a .393 OBP and .575 SLG in 80 at-bats), but demonstrated that third base would always be a challenge defensively. He'll get some more minor league at-bats in AAA, and eventually get the call to the bigs. Utley's name has come up in trade talks, but the Phillies claim he's unavailable.