Eric Hosmer, the Royals best rookie in 2011, finished third behind winner Jeremy Hellickson of Tampa and Mark Trumbo of Los Angeles.

There should be no outrage at Hellickson’s selection. After a better than 5/1 K/BB ratio over nearly 200 innings and a 2.95 ERA, Hellickson is more than deserving of the award. Where I think Royals fans are upset is the standing of Trumbo over Hosmer. In 21 more games Trumbo had more home runs and RBIs but Hosmer had a better batting average, on base percentage and OPS. He also had more hits, a better walkrate, struck out a lower percentage of the time and was four years younger than Trumbo.

As Royals Review pointed out today, Hosmer’s batting average was better than Trumbo’s on base percentage.

But here’s the thing – yes, Hosmer may have had a comparable season to Trumbo and was deserving of the award, but long-term, Hosmer is the better player, better hitter, better prospect and has a much higher potential of performance than Trumbo. That’s the important part.

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Hosmer has his sights on the JR Award. (Gage Matthews)

As fans of a team that has been bringing up new players throughout the 2011 season, our sights focus on different awards than they might have previously. Instead of the Cy Young, we see the Fireman of the Year. Rather than Silver Sluggers, we’re content with All-Stars. And rather than the MVP, we look at the Rookie of the Year, or, as it’s actually named, the Jackie Robinson Award.

The Royals have a plethora of rookies to offer for this award, though they admittedly aren’t all deserving. Here’s the list of those that would qualify (correct me if I’m wrong):

Nathan Adcock
Louis Coleman
Tim Collins
Aaron Crow
Danny Duffy
Jarrod Dyson
Johnny Giavotella
Eric Hosmer
Jeremy Jeffress
Mike Moustakas
Yamaico Navarro
Salvador Perez
Manny Pina
Everett Teaford

That’s a lot of rookies (14) over the course of the season. In trying to narrow them down, four have been sent back to the minors. Five are relievers, which makes their chances of winning much more difficult. And two others have played only 30 games and 21 games, so they’re unlikely candidates. That leaves us with these folks:

Duffy
Hosmer
Moustakas

With all due respect to Moustakas and Duffy, Hosmer is the clear candidate for award consideration. Moustakas’ line of .228/.279/.283 won’t stand up in competition and Duffy’s 5.73 ERA and 1.646 WHIP don’t inspire much confidence in his chances.

So, then, what are Hosmer’s chances? Who are his competitors? And what does he have to do down the stretch to make sure he brings home the trophy?

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First off, I promised a Greinke article a while back and it hasn’t happened.  The article is still in the works, but it has changed directions a number of times from my original intent.  This morphing has slowed my research and writing process, but the article will get published at some point before the start of the season.  I also mentioned a while back that I was going to write the second installment of my Draft Recall series.  Based on other Royals specific articles I have lined up to write, I’m probably going to move that series over to Call to the Pen when the site is launched.  A third research intensive article I have on my list to write is another edition of Central Processing that will examine what we might expect from the Royals this season, in relation to the AL Central.  I know that makes it sound like a season preview, but it’s not.  Once I get it published it will all make sense.

In the next two weeks I should finish revealing the top-9 Royals prospects in the 2010 KoK rankings.  The profile for prospect number nine should be published tomorrow night if all goes well.  In addition to the prospect profile tomorrow, I should have another edition of From the Fish Pond posted at some point this weekend.  By the time Monday morning rolls around, I hope that five new articles, not counting this one, will be up on the site for your enjoyment.

It is a lofty goal considering I have to head into the office for the entire day on Sunday and my writing time tomorrow will be mostly limited to the evening.  My wife has to work and I will be entertaining my sons during the morning and afternoon hours.

~~~~~

In addition to linking to some of the recent stories for each of the active MLB sites on our network, I thought I would include “help wanted” notes on the sites where we need help.  If you want to write for a team where we have an opening, please send an email to fansided@gmail.com.

Call to the Pen: Planning and preparation for the launch of our new general MLB site continues on.  We now have five of our seven featured contributors locked, loaded and raring to go as soon as the site is launched.  I’m hoping to get the other two in place in the very near future, but sadly spare time is in short supply right now.  As I mentioned above, the Draft Recall series will be moving from KoK to CttP because the focus of my weekly column will be the draft.

Birds Watcher: Michael W. is our current Baltimore Orioles lead but he needs help and wants to transition to contributor slot.  Therefore, we are looking for a lead writer for this site.  Please contact us at the above email address if you are interested.

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Chicken Friars: A Quick Scouting Report on Top Prospect Simon Castro

Cubbies Crib: 25 Man Roster Is Beginning to Shape Up

Deep Left Field: RIP Jeremy Sowers’ Career

Frisco Fastball: Giants Running Through Cactus League

Halo Hangout: The Fans Predict Our Playoff Chances

Jays Journal: Bryce Harper with the Jays?

Lasorda’s Lair: We are looking for help to cover the Los Angeles Dodgers for Lasorda’s Lair.

Marlin Maniac: Bullpen regression versus Nolasco regression

Motor City Bengals: Leyland Lays Down the Law

Nolan Writin’: Should the Rangers or will the Rangers keep Ron Washington as their skipper after the 2010 season?

Rayhawk Review: Could Hellickson Land Rotation Spot?

Redbird Rants: Penny, Craig star in St. Louis’ victory over Washington

Reviewing the Brew: Do you love the Milwaukee Brewers?  Do you love to write?  If so, why not contact us about becoming the lead writer on Reviewing the Brew?

Rising Apple: What Should the Mets Do with Ike Davis?

Rox Pile: We are looking for a new lead writer to cover the Colorado Rockies, contact us if interested.

Rum Bunter: Pirates Coach Hates Couches

Sodo Mojo: Another Jarrod Washburn Post

Swingin’ A’s: A’s Analysis – Starting Rotation

Teddy Never Wins: Teddy is lonely.  Teddy needs a lead blogger.  If you are interested in writing about the Washington Nationals please contact us and make Teddy happy in the process.

That Balls Outta Here: It’s a “Joe Blanton, Surprise Whiskey” Friday!

Tomahawk Take: Braves Preseason Review – Troy Glaus Feeling Healthy

Twinkie Talk: About the Joe Nathan Situation

Venom Strikes: Upton Goes Yard Again, Helps Dbacks Win

Yanks Go Yard: Nick Johnson’s back still hurts … from carrying the offense

(Wally Fish is the lead blogger for Kings of Kauffman and FanSided’s MLB Director.  Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)