BBA Names Kimbrel, Hellickson and Hosmer As Rookies Of The Year

Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel (l) won NL honors, while Tampa Bay righty Jeremy Hellickson (c) and Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer (r) shared honors in the junior circuit. The members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance have announced the winners of their 2011 Willie Mays Award, recognizing the top rookie in each league. The BBA has named Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel as the NL Rookie of the Year, and have selected Tampa Bay Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson and KC Royals 1B Eric Hosmer as co-AL Rookies of the Year for the recently-concluded campaign. Kimbrel set an MLB rookie record for saves this season, successfully closing out 46 of the 54 save opportunities entrusted to him. He went, 4-3, with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. The Huntsville, AL, native received 11 of 16 first place votes and a grand total of 65 points in the voting. He outpaced teammate 1B Freddie Freeman, who received three of the five remaining first place votes and a total of 35 points. Rays RHP Hellickson and Royals 1B ...