Utley was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round (15th pick) of the 2000 amateur draft.
Utley played for the Phillies' farm system with the Batavia Muckdogs of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League in 2000, the Clearwater Phillies of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in 2001, and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons of the Class AAA International League in 2002 and 2003 [REF].