There was a point this season that Chase Utley was clearly an All-Star. But, Utley has regressed to the point that he sat during Sunday's finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yet, fan votes decide the All-Star team, so Utley was elected to the All-Star team today.
Anthony Rendon of the Washington Nationals has the better stats, but Utley has the better name recognition. Utley batted .500 in the six March at bats, .345 in his April at bats, and .291 in May, prior to hitting just .240 in June. Utley is batting just .190 so far in the month of July. With the ups and downs, Utley averages out to a .286 batting average.
This is Utley's sixth All-Star appearance. Utley was an All-Star for five consecutive seasons from 2006 through 2010. Utley very well could be the Phillies' lone representative. Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon has pitched well, but saves are very hard to come by lately, when the Phillies have very few leads heading into the ninth inning.
