2010 Look Back: Chase Utley

My Fellow Phans,

Here is the look back at the Phillies’ star second baseman, Chase Utley.

Chase Utley: 2010 stats: .275 AVG 16 HR 65 RBI (.212 AVG 1 HR 5 RBI in postseason)

Recap:

Utley, like so many of the Phillies, had a down season offensively. He was hurt, again like so many of the Phillies, for an extended period of time. So, to put a directly correlation between the two stats would not be an unfair assessment. This season, his average, slugging percentage were both down as well as his OPS.

Before going down with his hand injury, Utley was having a solid season. It was not as good as we had seen in the past, but it was still a quality year for the Phillies second baseman. When he came back, he took off. Chase hit .323 in September totaling 5 home runs and 22 RBIs in just 26 RBIs. Now that is more Utley like.

Once the playoffs hit, Utley began to fit hitter just barely over .200 for the postseason as a whole and under .200 during the NLCS. What exactly happened in those chilling October games, I really have no idea and will refrain from venturing any guesses.

Utley started out well in April, but his numbers seemed on a slow decline under those September stats. Of course, you throw in the injury. I just hope that this is not the start of the decline of our elite second baseman, although I sincerely doubt it. I just think he had a down year.

Looking Ahead:

I think it same to assume that Utley will be back with the Phillies next season, after all, he is under contract. I think Utley bounces back to have a terrific season in 2011 pacing the Phillies in the chase for another NL East title.

I just don’t see a play with Utley’s caliber struggle for a long period of time. His times of struggles will be put behind him and then the Chase Utley that we all know and love will come back and grace us with his presence. Expect big things from Chase next year.

Grade: B 

      

As like Howard, Utley had a solid season, but for him it wasn’t as good as it usually is, so he gets an average grade.

Please vote on the left for your grade on Utley. 

Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!