Despite the acquisition of Logan Forsythe from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Los Angeles Dodgers opted to re-sign Chase Utley for the 2017 season. The veteran took on a reserve role for the first time in his career, but his leadership in the clubhouse remained invaluable to the organization.
It was a rough start to the year for Utley, who hit .122/.217/.146 in 46 plate appearances during April — recording just five hits for the entire month. He would rebound in May, however, behind an excellent .974 on-base plus slugging percentage, while accumulating three doubles, three triples and three home runs in the process.
Utley entered the All-Star Break with a .226/.326/.390 batting line, but saw his playing time drastically diminish in the second half as he made just 29 starts. That was down from 52 during the first half.
The extra rest proved to bode well for Utley, as he ended the 2017 campaign with a .254/.320/.430 showing over his final 125 trips to the plate. The Pasadena, Calif., native was included on all three postseason rosters but struggled throughout October.
Utley went hitless in 15 at-bats, though did participate in his first World Series since the 2009 season as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies — and his third overall.
All-in-all, Utley completed his 15th MLB season with a .236/.324/.405 slash line in 353 plate appearances and 127 games. He hit 20 doubles, four doubles and eight home runs, to go along with six stolen bases, 43 runs scored and 32 walks.
2017 Highlight
On May 30 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Utley went 3-for-4 with one double and one triple. He additionally reached base via a hit by pitch, scored two runs and drove in a run as well.
The Dodgers went on to win the contest by a final score of 9-4, and picked up their 33rd win of the year.
2018 Outlook
Utley is a free agent once again, and assuming he returns to the field in 2018, should garner interest on the open market for his veteran presence and left-handed bat off the bench.
The Dodgers could ultimately decide to bring him back for another season, but that’s contingent on how the club fills out the rest of its roster this offseason.
