The Major Leagues are experiencing a youth movement as seen by some good young pitchers in the American League.

With J.P. Arencibia and Mark Trumbo as the only viable position players who could win the AL Rookie of the Year, the best rookie will likely be a pitcher. Though the race may come down to Zach Britton and Michael Pineda, some other good young pitchers have a chance.

Los Angeles Angels closer Jordan Walden won the closer's role early, Kyle Drabek has done well in 10 starts for the Blue Jays, and Jeremy Hellickson has replaced Matt Garza in the Rays rotation.

Zach Britton has been successful early on for the Orioles.

Photo by Keith Allison, used under  creative commons license.

Pineda has the makings of a phenom. The 6'7" right-hander is just 22 years old and is gaining a reputation of being unhittable. Paired with another young righty in Felix Hernandez, the Mariners could have a dominant duo atop their rotation for years to come. Through nine starts, Pineda is 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA. More impressive, he has 61 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 58 1/3 innings.

Pineda's fastball touches the high-90s, but it's his slider and changeup that has caused most of the damage. Mariners personnel claim that Pineda is not afraid to challenge hitters, which has also been a factor in his success.

But that doesn't mean one of them will win the award.

Walden has recorded nine saves in 12 chances, has pitched to a 2.82 ERA, and is striking out more than one batter per inning. The AL West is one of the tightest divisions in baseball through the first two months, so the Angels will keep relying on Walden to deliver late in games.

The Rays were so confident in Hellickson that they traded Garza to the Cubs. He was a preseason favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year after he won all four of his starts for the Tampa Bay Rays while posting a 3.47 ERA.

Hellickson has pitched well so far, with a 5-3 record and 3.14 ERA.

The Rays are right in the thick of things in the AL East, so the team will rely on quality starts from Hellickson to keep them in the race. Hellickson's quirky delivery allows him to hide the ball well, which is especially effective with his change-up.

Drabek, son of former NL Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek and the centerpiece of the Roy Halladay trade, is 3-3 with a 4.34 ERA. A few tough starts early ballooned his ERA, but he's coming off back-to-back quality starts that he will hope to build on.

A few lesser known AL rookies have also pitched with much success this year.

Aaron Crow of the Kansas City Royals has been virtually untouchable. In 20 appearances, he is 2-0 with a 0.76 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. Though middle relievers are often overlooked for Rookie of the Year consideration, Crow is making a case to be considered.

In addition to Crow, Cleveland Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano has been lights out in the bullpen. He has a 1.47 ERA and 21 strikeouts through 18 1/3 innings this season. Cleveland's bullpen has been a factor in the team's early season success.

Britton and Pineda will receive plenty of attention the last four months, but these candidates could win the award if they continue their hot starts.

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