Not many players have come into the league with more hype than Eric Hosmer, and he lived up to it during the 2011 season.

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

The 2011 season, similar to most every other, saw the emergence of multiple top prospects into the big leagues. Former top draft picks made their statement on Major League clubs, along with young players who seemingly came out nowhere to make their name known.

These players will soon be the faces of the franchises they are a part of, as they are considered to be some of the biggest investments any business, in any industry, could ever make.

My top three rookies, along with the honorable mention can be found after the jump.

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1. Eric Hosmer, First Baseman (Kansas City)
2011 stats: 128 G, .293, 19 HR, 78 RBI, 27 2B, .993 Fielding%

Eric Hosmer, the Kansas City Royals‘ first-round selection in 2008, didn’t make his Major League debut until May 8th this season. In his first week of play, Hosmer racked up seven hits, which consisted of two doubles, two home runs and five RBIs. Hosmer finished the season with a potent offensive ability from the left-side of the dish, and should be one of the best A.L. hitters in years to come.

2. Jeremy Hellickson, Starting Pitcher (Tampa Bay)
2011 stats: 189 IP, 29 GS, 13-10, 2.95 ERA, 117 K, 1.15 WHIP

The Tampa Bay Rays‘ 24-year-old starter, Jeremy Hellickson, made his big league debut in 2010, but held his coming out party this season. This young gun kept right-handed hitters to a .188 average and went 7-3 against the A.L. East this season.

3. Mark Trumbo, First Baseman (Los Angeles)
2011 stats: 149 G, .254, 29 HR, 87 RBI, 31 2B, .977 Fielding%

Mark Trumbo wasn’t expected to be the starter for the Los Angeles Angels at the beginning of the season, but an injury to Kendry Morales helped his case. Trumbo led all A.L. rookies in at-bats, doubles, home runs and RBIs this season.

Honarable Mention: Ivan Nova, SP (NYY); Jemile Weeks, 2B (OAK); Jordan Walden, CL (LAA); Michael Pineda, SP (SEA); Ben Revere, CF (MIN)