The Detroit Tigers' ace, Justin Verlander, was a new kind of animal in 2011. His 24 wins is the most by any pitcher in a season since 2002.

As a member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, I am honored to publish my ballot for the 2011 Walter Johnson Award. This award will recognize the best pitcher in the American League.

This baseball season we saw just one 20 game winner in the American League, and just three in the entire MLB. The A.L. had just three pitchers throw more than 18 wins in the 162 regular season games, but had some surprises fall just below that mark.

Not making my list, but surprising many nonetheless, Rangers’ Derek Holland finished 16-5, Yankees’ rookie Ivan Nova was 16-4 and Tigers’ Doug Fister completed the year under .500, but with an ERA of 2.83.

My top five American League pitchers, along with the honorable mention can be found after the jump.

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1. Justin Verlander, RHP (Detroit)
2011 stats: 251 IP, 34 GS, 24-5, 2.40 ERA, 250 K, 0.92 WHIP

The Tigers’ ace, and possible A.L. MVP, Justin Verlander produced the best season any starting pitcher has had since 2002, when Randy Johnson had 24 wins. Batters hit just .192 against him this season and he went 12-0 in his last 13 starts in the regular season.

2. CC Sabathia, LHP (New York)
2011 stats: 237.1 IP, 33 GS, 19-8, 3.00 ERA, 230 K, 1.23 WHIP

Some may be shocked I have CC Sabathia listed at number two, and not three or four, but I have logical reasoning. The Yankees’ ace completed his third straight season of 19 wins or more, and did it with a shoddy rotation behind him. Sabathia carried the pitching staff, and New York, into the post-season.

3. Jered Weaver, RHP (Los Angeles)
2011 stats: 235.2 IP, 33 GS, 18-8, 2.41 ERA, 198 K, 1.01 WHIP

Jered Weaver had a legitiment shot at the A.L. Cy Young award until he hit a rough patch from August 13-September 3, where he allowed more than six earned runs in three of five starts. His strikeout numbers weren’t quite what they were in 2010 (233), but his ERA was the best of his career.

4. James Shields, RHP (Tampa Bay)
2011 stats: 249.1 IP, 33 GS, 16-12, 2.82 ERA, 225 K, 1.04 WHIP

Tampa Bay found out who their true ace is this season. James Shields finished his fifth straight season with 11 or more wins, and flaunted the best of ERA, and opponent average (.217) of his career.

5. Ricky Romero, LHP (Toronto)
2011 stats: 225 IP, 32 GS, 15-11, 2.92 ERA, 178 K, 1.14 WHIP

At just 26 years old, the Blue Jays stud left-hander, Ricky Romero has the chance to be one of the best arms in the A.L., year-in and year-out. His third big league season was also his third straight with 13 or more wins, as his ERA and WHIP have fallen to a lower and better mark each season.

Honarable Mention: Jose Valverde, RHP (DET); C.J. Wilson, LHP (TEX); Gio Gonzalez, LHP (OAK); Dan Haren, RHP (LAA)