Hellickson may be ROY – but Hosmer may be Headed to HoF

Jeremy Hellickson has been fantastic this year, and he has made big contributions to the Rays’ climb up the wild card standings.  Since the beginning of September, when the Rays were possibly looking ahead to 2012, Hellickson made four big starts.  In those outings, he’s 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA, and opponents are hitting just .147/.236/.274 off of him.  All the more impressive when you notice, one of these performances was a complete game against the soaring Orioles, two against the Red Sox and one against the Yankees.

And also, in case it went over your head, Jeremy Hellickson happens to be a rookie.

In the end, I think Jeremy Hellickson is going to get the nod for American League Rookie of the Year.  When you step back and take a look at his full body of work this year – a 13-10 record with a 2.90 ERA and a WHIP of 1.131, the numbers speak for themselves.  And keep in mind, he’s doing it in the AL East where  runs flow like an avalanche.

Understanding that the average reader now-a-days understands how misleading win-loss records can be for pitchers, it still should be noted how unlucky Hellickson has been in this regard.   He has four losses this season when going at least six innings and allowing two or fewer runs, which is the most in the AL.  Between the raw numbers, the fact that he was clutch in a pennant chase within the AL East nonetheless, I think voters will find comfort in marking his name on the ballot.  With four or five good options to choose from, it seems like the simplest solution.

That being said, that in no way suggests Jeremy Hellickson has the absolute highest ceiling of this year’s rookie class.  For example, how often does a Heisman Trophy winner turn out to be the best player in the pros from his class?  Not all that often.

Jeremy Hellickson might win this award like I said, or he may not.  But Eric Hosmer is the guy that is special.  Eric Hosmer might single-handedly carry the Royals back to respectability, become a legend in Kansas City, and maybe someday find himself in the Hall of Fame.  He’s that gifted.

Here’s a fun fact courtesy of my friend Nick Shlain.  There are three 21-year-olds in history that have at least 18 homers in a season while maintaining a .300 batting average.  Those players are Joe DiMaggio, Albert Pujols and Eric Hosmer.

Hosmer has the “It” factor.  He as all the necessary tools to be a star, and even as a Tigers fan I think it’s cool this will all go down in Kansas City.  Believe me I empathize.  You know how grateful my city of  Detroit is to have Ndamukong Suh?  Yeah, pretty freaking grateful.

Even considering the lower levels of success the Royals found this year, Hosmer was perhaps the biggest part of it.  Since Eric’s call-up, he’s hitting .374/.417/.600 in Royal’s victories.  He’s hitting .232/.271/.365 in their defeats.

As pitchers make their adjustments to rookies, the kids usually see a drop in their production.  Not Hosmer.  Now that most of the AL has had to put up with the Royal’s first baseman, he’s still posting a .367/.379/.592 line for September.

Despite the fact Hosmer almost looks on the skinnier side for weighing 230 lbs, he has immense power.  When the young first baseman connects, the ball flies off of his bat.  It’s very fun to watch since the kid has such a gorgeous  swing.

Hosmer, despite being one of many talented kids in the Royal’s organization, is the guy Kansas City’s riding on.  On May 4th, 11,130 fans came to Kaufman Stadium in K.C. to watch their team play the O’s.  The next day Hosmer was called up, and K.C.’s attendance was 29,630.

Like I said earlier, Hellickson pitched his ass of this year, and I’m thinking he will get the immediate recognition for it.  Hosmer’s .295 average, 19 homers and 78 RbIs will draw some votes, I just don’t know if he will get enough.  But Hosmer is still the cream of the 2011 crop.  It is in fact Hosmer, who has the better shot at being enshrined in the hall some day, and making something out of nothing in Kansas City.