Alabama Teen Mirrors Phillies Legend Chase Utley

Young baseball player shares name, position, and handedness with MLB star

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes, representing the parallels between the two Chase Utleys.The shared name and playing style of the two Chase Utleys creates a unique connection, mirroring each other's athletic journeys.Clearwater Today

A 17-year-old baseball player in Alabama named Chase Utley shares his first and last name, as well as his position at second base and batting/throwing style, with the former Philadelphia Phillies star of the same name. The younger Chase Utley's parents say they chose the name independently, unaware of the MLB player, but have embraced the coincidence as their son has grown into a promising young talent.

Why it matters

The uncanny similarities between the two Chases have created a unique situation, with the younger Utley frequently being mistaken for the Phillies legend at baseball tournaments. The story highlights the power of shared names and how they can shape a person's identity and experiences, especially in the world of sports.

The details

The younger Chase Utley was born in 2009, during the peak of the Phillies star's career. While his parents initially were unsure about the name, they ultimately embraced it after learning more about the MLB player's character and accomplishments. The teen Utley plays shortstop and pitcher in addition to second base, and his athletic abilities have caught the eye of scouts who believe he has the potential to play Division I college baseball.

  • Chase Utley the younger was born in August 2009.
  • The Phillies won the World Series in 2008 and 2009.

The players

Chase Utley

A 17-year-old baseball player in Alabama who shares his first and last name, position, and batting/throwing style with the former Philadelphia Phillies star.

Brian Utley

The father of the younger Chase Utley, who was aware of the MLB player's identity when naming his son.

Amanda Utley

The mother of the younger Chase Utley, who initially was unaware of the MLB player but later embraced the name.

Chase Utley

The former All-Star second baseman who played 16 seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies, helping the team win a World Series in 2008.

Jered Goodwin

The vice president of scouting for Perfect Game, who praised the younger Utley's athleticism and hitting ability.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To date it, our Chase was born in August of 2009, so that would have been (during) the second World Series run for the Phillies, so it was very top of mind. The name just kind of rolls off the tongue when your name's already Utley. It was something that I wanted.”

— Brian Utley, Father of younger Chase Utley

“The more we kind of went through the pregnancy, I didn't find another name I liked better. And, so then I kind of was like, 'Well, is Chase Utley a good guy? Is he a good leader? Is he a jerk in the locker room?' You know, all the things. He was like, 'No, he's an awesome guy and he would he's a great role model. He's probably going to be in the Hall of Fame one day.'”

— Amanda Utley, Mother of younger Chase Utley

“But honestly, the last name at least, I've never met another person named the last name Utley other than my family members. So, they put them both together is extremely unique. And the fact that a young baseball player plays the same position as we mentioned, I think it's very cool and very unique.”

— Chase Utley

What’s next

The older Chase Utley said he plans to meet the younger Chase Utley in person over the next several months, potentially starting with a Zoom call to introduce themselves.

The takeaway

This story highlights the power of shared names and how they can shape a person's identity, especially in the world of sports. The younger Chase Utley's journey mirrors that of the Phillies legend, showing how a name can inspire a person to pursue their passions and potentially achieve greatness.