First it was Ryan Howard. Then it was Jimmy Rollins. Now it seems as though Chase Utley doesn’t want to wait until the end of the season to make his MVP campaign heard. The Phillies’ second baseman is playing unbelievably at the plate these days with staggering numbers in almost every category.

Chase is often seen as one of the hardest working players off the field. You always hear whether it be on the telecasts or on SportsNite pieces about how dedicated

Utley is to his game and spends so much time reviewing film of the pitcher he will face next. That hard work is paying off early for the Fightin’s. As of Friday night’s game, Utley leads the majors with 12 home runs. The next closest is Lance Berkman of the Astros with 9. He is tied for third in the majors with Chipper Jones with a .364 average at the plate.

Utley is tied for second in the majors with 27 runs, and first in total bases with 91. The next closest there is Derrek Lee with 77. Utley’s work ethic off the field is apparently contagious, because Pat Burrell is also turning it up early this season.

Burrell makes $14 million this season and is looking for a new deal. He says he wants to stay. Burrell is in a contract year and trying to impress the Phillies front office. He isn’t doing too bad so far. Pat the Bat leads the NL with 28 runs batted in, and is fourth in the majors with a .452 on base percentage. He is second only behind his teammate Chase Utley (.771) in the major leagues with a .690 slugging percentage.

Those two early MVP candidates are picking up the slack for the Phillies batting lineup. They have been without lead-off man Jimmy Rollins since April 8. Reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins has only played 12 games this season. He has been on the DL with a left ankle injury. Reports say J-Roll could return to the Phillies this Thursday.

The injury bug hit the second hitter, Shane Victorino, on April 12. He returned to the starting lineup on May 1. Although he hasn’t been injured, Ryan Howard hasn’t played like the Phillies know he can. Howard leads the majors with 42 strikeouts. He had 199 in 2007 and it looks like he could beat that record in 2008 if he keeps it up with his .176 average.

Burrell and Utley have been the stars thus far as the Phils have gotten off to one of their best starts in recent memory. They now sit atop the NL East with a record of 17-13.

Photos courtesy: blogs.phillynews.com, Dave Isaac