Chase Utley primer: Good 2B the best

Join in the cheesy fun as Beerleaguer gushes over the best second baseman in baseball.

In the next few days, you will read my full season preview in the form of five questions, which took the better part of three days to complete.

Later on, I’ll revisit my Top 25 Phillies with an all-new condensed list, one that won’t include Matt Kata and Shawn Garrett.

One player I didn’t have much opportunity to discuss was Chase Utley, the player Beerleaguer named Phillies MVP for the 2005 season.

The reason why is I’m satisfied our second baseman proved his star status beyond any doubt. His game-winning grand slam against San Francisco in the second game of "The Homestand" was a heavy moment, perhaps the heaviest of the season. At that moment, Chase had arrived, and the future of the entire organization looked that much brighter.

When the Phils needed a hit, Utley delivered. He ranked near the top of every offensive category among second basemen, first in baseball in OPS.

	Name	Team	G		AB		R		H		2B		3B		HR		RBI		BB		K		SB		CS		AVG		OBP		SLG		OPS
	Utley	PHI	147		543		93		158		39		6		28		105		69		109		16		3		.291		.376		.540		.915
	Roberts	BAL	143		561		92		176		45		7		18		73		67		83		27		10		.314		.387		.515		.903
	Kent	LAD	149		553		100		160		36		0		29		105		72		85		6		2		.289		.377		.512		.889
	López	CIN	148		580		97		169		34		5		23		85		57		111		15		7		.291		.352		.486		.838
	Giles	ATL	152		577		104		168		45		4		15		63		64		108		16		3		.291		.365		.461		.826

2006 has the feel of a sophomore season for Utley, the way it is for Ryan Howard and Charlie Manuel. While players like Jimmy Rollins are building on history, you get the feeling a player like Chase is taking another step toward destiny, which feels like a championship, or even World Series MVP.

By the end of his career, I’m convinced Utley will be remembered for two things: Snapshot moments, like his slam against San Fran, and great hitting. Power will rank third. Pitchers will not serve up as many pitches low and inside to Utley's zone. In the words of Chris Wheeler, he is a "dead-red lowball fastball hitter." Utley will adjust by working more balls the other way for hits. He has the potential to be a top five hitter.

The Phillies are also counting on him to be a leader, one who leads by example on the field, and one who sets clubhouse policy behind the scenes.

Defensively, he’s smart enough and athletic enough to make it a strength. Arm strength, turning the double play and getting over anxious have been the big knocks. He has improved this area significantly.

So let this serve as an addendum to my season preview, a reminder just how blessed we are to have Chase. No team in baseball has it this good at second base.

Comments

[pawnking]

The right side of the ballfield will not be the problem for the Phils, offensively, having potentially the best first baseman, second baseman, and right fielder in the NL.

It's a very special year when you can honestly say that Burrell might the forth best hitter in the lineup.

[Oisin]

Anyone else impatient? I'm impatient. Want it to start now. Bring on the misery/elation please.

[gr]

you're quoting wheels?

[J. Weitzel]

"Dead-red" is my favorite expression from the Chris Wheeler glossary. It means "absolute."

Yes, there is a Chris Wheeler Glossary at www.chriswheelerglossary.com.

[MG]

A Chris Wheeler glossary actually exists . . . everything you possibly wanted to know is actually on the Internet.

[Billy Mac]

Utley is outstanding. Good player to start the preview. If we are going to point out some weaknesses, he needs to improve against lefties and he has trouble with inside breaking balls. He actually swung at a few pitches last year that hit him. But a tremendous fastball hitter and much better defensively than we ever thought. I don't think there is a better 2B right now.

[theragtopguy]

I'll be down there on April 3 wearing my brand new Utley jersey that my honey got me for Christmas.

I love the guy, the way he plays hard and always busts it.

A Chris Wheeler Glossary? Come onnnnnnn...

[Tom G]

Yes Jason, you did gush, and I loved every word of it.

[clout]

Jason gushing about "Uts" is fine. It's when Jason gushes about Shane Victorino that I have a problem.

[RickSchuBlues]

Hooray for Phillies' number one draft picks who actually become good players! Much less actually exceed expectations: I doubt anyone thought Utley was a 30-homer guy when he was signed. The best thing about him, though, is that he could be the new face of the Phillies, surmounting the largely lifeless 'core' of the Wade era. Now here's someone worth building your team around, someone Philly actually likes. Along with Howard and a maturing Rollins, Utley is in the middle of this nascent new identity, which is why I think I may be a little higher on this team than the one a year ago at this same point.

[RickSchuBlues]

Even as a pro-Wheeler holdout, I'll admit chriswheelerglossary.com is *hilarious*.