CHASE UTLEY

[stumpak]

The other issue is that he can't hit lefties at all. Everyone knows this. I am betting that he very rarely sees a right hander after the 6th inning next season, which will not help his numbers.

[TB13]

The other issue is that he can't hit lefties at all. Everyone knows this. I am betting that he very rarely sees a right hander after the 6th inning next season, which will not help his numbers.

He actually improved against lefties as the year went on. However, for someone who "cannot hit lefties at all", he put up numbers that are outfield worthy.

[stumpak]

He had a .219 BA against lefties. That is almost .100 less than against righties. That is "can't hit lefties" in my book.

Look at the Phillies line-up--Howard, Abreu and Utley, the meat of the order, are all lefties. If I am managing against the Phils in a close game, the middle of their order sees a lefty every time after my starter is out.

You could make the arguement that the more lefties Utley sees the better he will be able to hit them, but we don't know for sure that this will be the case. Just as likely he continue to have disparate RHP/LHPsplits and the opposition will key on this even more. This happened to Blalock.

[zhutou]

i'd much rather pass on him and pick someone like freel, who i like for next year, in the later rounds.

[wrveres]

There are only two things that I know of, where Yanks 04 and I agree.

1) I assume he likes women.
2) Jeff Kent gets no respect.

Jeff put up the same gaudy numbers as Chase without any lineup protection. None zip nada! and in a worse ballpark. Do I like Utley long term, sure ... he is 10 years younger, but I am not sold on slotting him at number two yet. Not until he at least learns how to hit lefties. Until then he will be a .270 hitter, aided by that wonderful ballpark.

Oh and at the number three slot for 2B in your 2006 POST season rankings, don't be surprised to see Rickie Weeks name there, with Utley a close 4th.