This year’s rookie crop has a lot to live up to. The 2010 class was arguably the best rookie class ever and gave many teams cornerstones to build around for the future. While this class of hitters might not have the hype of a Heyward or Posey, or ooze the potential of a Stanton or Castro, the overall talent is there.

Last season, baseball fans were introduced to a group of first year players unlike any has ever seen. Stephen Strasburg more than lived up to his impossible hype before being placed on a shelf until 2012 with arm troubles no one was shocked to read about. Both Rookie of the Year recipients played each other in the World Series as Buster Posey’s Giants bested Neftali Feliz’ Rangers.

This is a list of the current top five pitchers in each league of major league baseball going into the 2011 season.  The pitchers are not listed in any particular order.  These are just the five best in each league.