Call to the Pen’s National League All-Star team

Jun 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (26) hits a home run in the first inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Second base: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
2014 stats: .296/.357/.458, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 44 R, 2 SB

I thought this vote had the potential to be the wildest of all positions (although first base could arguably have been as well) since the NL has a handful of second basemen that are worthy of being its starter. As you’ll see, it wasn’t quite that way.

While Utley’s batting average is third among his NL Peers, he is the leader among qualified second sackers in OBP, SLG, and wOBA (.352). He got off to a quick start this season (March/April slashline of .355/.408/.570), but has somewhat cooled over the past two months (May/June slashline of .270/.335/.407), but those are still decent numbers.

The voting results:
Utley, PHI: 6
Murphy, NYM: 3
Gordon, LAD: 2
Walker, PIT: 1

There is a name not listed here that certainly deserves a mention: Scooter Gennett of the Milwaukee Brewers. I mention Gennett as he leads NL second basemen in wRC+ (127). He’s been a big contributor as to why the Brewers have played well this season.

An appearance in this year’s NL All-Star team roster would be Utley’s sixth of his career. His previous five were in consecutive seasons, but his last ASG nod was in 2010.