As we begin BBWAA awards week in the MLB, we kick things off with the AL and NL Rookie of the Year winners, which were named earlier today.
NL Results
1. RP Craig Kimbrel, ATL (79 G, 46 Sv, 2.10 ERA, 127 Ks, 77 IP, 3.0 WAR): 160 Points
Kimbrel takes home the honor unanimously despite his blown save on the season's final day that cost the Braves a postseason trip. That was outweighed by the fact that he broke the rookie save record in a season that saw him absolutely dominate opposing hitters and throw 37.2 consecutive scoreless innings at one point.
2. 1B Freddie Freeman ATL (.282/.346/.448, 21 HR, 76 RBI, 67 R, 1.1 WAR): 70 Points
Kimbrel's teammates Freeman came in behind him in the voting, as the 21-year-old stepped in as the team's starting first baseman to open the season and posted solid numbers across the board.
3. SP Vance Worley PHI (21 GS, 11-3, 3.01 ERA, 119 Ks, 131.2 IP, 2.8 WAR): 40 Points
Perhaps the biggest surprise of any rookie this season, Worley stepped in when Roy Oswalt went down with a back injury and the rotation didn't miss a beat.
4. C Wilson Ramons WAS (.267/.334/.445, 15 HR, 52 RBI, 48 R, 2.5 WAR): 6 Points
The Nationals pulled off a fantastic deal last season when they traded closer Matt Capps to the Twins for top catching prospect Ramos, and he stepped in as the everyday catcher immediately this season and caught 113 games. He'll be key in handling the Nationals talented young pitching staff.
5. SP Josh Collmenter ARI (24 GS, 10-10, 3.38 ERA, 100 Ks, 154.1 IP, 2.5 WAR): 5 Points
The Diamondbacks got solid seasons from their top three starters, but without Collmenter stepping in and shoring up the back end of the rotation, they may not have made the postseason.
6. 2B Danny Espinosa WAS (.236/.323/.414, 21 HR, 66 RBI, 72 R, 17 SB, 2.5 WAR): 3 Points
Yet another impressive young talent for the Nationals, Espinosa is still a very raw power hitter but he has the potential to develop into the top offensive second baseman in the NL in a few seasons.
7. 2B Darwin Barney CHC (.276/.313/.353, 2 HR, 43 RBI, 66 R, 1.0 WAR): 2 Points
Fighting for a roster spot out of spring training, Barney not only made the team, but took over as the everyday second baseman. The combination of him and Starlin Castro up the middle was one of the few bright spots in Chicago during the 2011 season.
7. RP Kenley Jensen LAD (51 G, 5 Sv, 2.85 ERA, 96 Ks, 53.2 IP, 1.0 WAR) - 2 Points
The closer of the future for the Dodgers, Jensen should step into that role next season with Jonathan Broxton departing in free agency and will be one to watch after posting a ridiculous 16.1 K/9 mark in a setup role.
AL Results
1. SP Jeremy Hellickson TB (29 GS, 13-10, 2.95 ERA, 117 Ks, 189 IP, 4.2 WAR): 102 Points
After tearing through minor league pitching last season and impressing in 10 late season appearances, Hellickson stepped into the rotation spot opened up by the trade of Matt Garza and posted the highest WAR of any 2011 rookie. The 24-year-old should only get better, and gives the Rays yet another ace.
2. 1B Mark Trumbo LAA (.254/.291/.477, 29 HR, 87 RBI, 65 R, 2.1 WAR): 63 Points
The Angels were dealt a blow when slugger Kendry Morales was once again lost for the season, but that opened things up for Trumbo, and he thrived in the middle of an under performing Angels lineup.
3. 1B Eric Hosmer KC (.293/.334/.465, 19 HR, 78 RBI, 66 R, 1.3 WAR): 38 Points
The youth movement has officially begun in Kansas City, and the Royals decided against waiting to start the clock on Hosmer as many teams do with their top prospects and called him up in May. He continued to rake, and may be the best pure hitter in this rookie class.
4. SP Ivan Nova NYY (27 GS, 16-4, 3.70 ERA, 98 Ks, 165.1 IP, 3.6 WAR): 30 Points
In a rotation full of question marks, Nova stepped up and eventually assumed the No. 2 spot in the Yankees rotation. He handled the pressure of the Big Apple very well, which should bode well moving forward.
5. SP Michael Pineda SEA (28 GS, 9-10, 3.74 ERA, 173 Ks, 171 IP, 2.8 WAR): 11 Points
Pineda tired a bit after making the All-Star team with a 8-6, 3.03 ERA first half, but he may have the biggest upside of any starting pitcher in the rookie class and should give the Mariners a dominant 1-2 alongside Felix Hernandez for years to come.
6. 2B Dustin Ackley SEA (.273/.348/.417, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 39 R, 2.5 WAR): 6 Points
The second overall pick in the 2009 draft, Mariners fans have been buzzing about Ackley for a few years now, and he showed tremendous potential in his first big league action. One of the few useful parts in the Mariners offense moving forward.
7. Desmond Jennings TB (.259/.356/.449, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 44 R, 20 SB, 2.3 WAR): 1 Point
Expected to step in when Carl Crawford departed in free agency, Jennings spent more time in the minors than expected, but showed what the Rays have to look forward to in his 63-game stint with the team.
8. Jordan Walden LAA (62 G, 32 Sv, 2.98 ERA, 67 Ks, 60.1 IP, 1.2 WAR): 1 Point
An All-Star as the Angels closer, Walden saved 32 games but also blew 10 saves, and he may be better suited in a setup role moving forward. Still, he held his own closing for a contender and will be an asset for the Angels moving forward, regardless of his role.
