Jeff Kent’s Hall of Fame Induction Shines a Brighter Light on Chase Utley’s Case
The Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Baseball Era Committee just opened a door - and while it may not have been meant for the Phillies, it might as well have had Chase Utley’s name carved into the frame.
Jeff Kent, the longtime slugging second baseman, was the only player elected by the committee this time around. And while Kent’s career is certainly worthy of recognition, his induction raises a compelling question for baseball fans in Philadelphia and beyond: if Jeff Kent is in Cooperstown, how much longer can we keep Chase Utley out?
Let’s be clear: Kent’s résumé is no joke. He smashed 351 of his 377 career home runs while playing second base - the most ever at the position.
He collected nearly 2,500 hits, batted a solid .290 over a 17-year career, and won an MVP award in 2000. Statistically, he ranks 19th in career WAR among second basemen and 22nd in JAWS - a sabermetric tool that blends career and peak WAR to gauge Hall of Fame worthiness.
But here’s the kicker: Chase Utley ranks ahead of Kent in both of those advanced metrics. Utley sits 15th in WAR and 12th in JAWS among second basemen, putting him ahead not just of Kent, but also of recent Hall of Fame inductees like Roberto Alomar and Craig Biggio. That’s not just a small margin - that’s a clear edge in value and impact.
And while Kent’s counting stats - more homers, more hits, more RBIs - look stronger at a glance, Utley’s peak is where the real separation begins.
From 2005 to 2009, Utley was on another level. He posted five straight seasons that, by WAR, outperformed even Kent’s best year - including his 2000 MVP campaign.
Over that stretch, Utley was a four-time All-Star, won four Silver Sluggers, and consistently landed in the top 15 of MVP voting. That’s not just consistency - that’s sustained dominance at a premium position.
Kent had two truly elite seasons, in 2000 and 2002. Utley had five. And if we’re talking about the best version of each player, there’s little debate over who brought more value to the field.
Now, longevity does matter. Kent aged gracefully, playing some of his best ball after turning 30.
Utley, on the other hand, battled injuries throughout his 30s that slowed his pace and kept him from reaching some of the traditional milestones - 2,000 hits, 300 home runs - that often sway Hall voters. But that shouldn’t obscure the fact that, at his peak, Utley was arguably the best second baseman in the game.
There’s more to the story than WAR and awards. Utley walked more than Kent, struck out less, and wasn’t afraid to take one for the team - literally.
He was hit by pitches 204 times, compared to Kent’s 125. That’s not just grit - that’s a guy who was always looking for an edge.
And on the basepaths, Utley was smarter and more efficient, showing off the kind of baseball IQ that made him one of the most complete players of his generation.
Utley’s case also benefits from something Kent never quite had: a strong identity with one team. Kent played for six franchises.
Utley was a Phillie through and through - the heart of a golden era in Philadelphia baseball. That connection matters in Cooperstown, where voters often reward players who helped define a franchise.
And let’s not ignore the context. Kent’s career overlapped with the steroid era, and his proximity to Barry Bonds - who won four straight MVPs after Kent’s 2000 win - may have clouded his candidacy for years. But now that he’s in, the precedent is set.
As for Utley, his momentum is building. He jumped from 28.8% to 39.8% in his second year on the writers’ ballot - a healthy leap that suggests voters are warming up to his case.
With no clear-cut newcomers joining the ballot this year, Utley has a real shot to climb even higher. He won’t hit the 75% mark in 2026, but 2027?
That’s in play. By 2028, he’ll be knocking on the door.
And by 2029, it might not even be a question anymore.
Here’s the bottom line: Since 1968, only four second basemen have been elected to the Hall - Kent, Alomar, Biggio, and Ryne Sandberg. Chase Utley is on track to become the fifth. And thanks to Kent’s induction, that path just got a whole lot clearer.
Phillies fans may not have had a horse in this year’s Hall of Fame race - not directly, anyway. But make no mistake: Jeff Kent’s enshrinement is a win for Chase Utley’s candidacy. And that means the road to Cooperstown could soon be paved in red pinstripes.