Eric Hosmer plays first base for the Kansas City Royals. He played 2011 as a true rookie, posting a slash line of .293/.334/.465, not bad for a 21 year old. Hosmer rocketed through the minor leagues, playing A and A+ ball at age 19, A+ and AA ball at age 20, and 26 games at AAA at age 21 before reaching the big club. It was tough to keep him down as he hit .439/.525/.582 at that level. Given his young age, he has plenty of time to develop into a powerful major league hitter.

Note that home run power is not there yet for the young man. Doubles dominate his extra base hits, although he legs out triples as well. He hit 69 doubles in the minors and 13 triples compared to 29 home runs. Coming up at such a young age, he’ll have four seasons in the majors before he hits his peak, giving him plenty of time to develop a home run swing. His current swing seems more suited for the road, where he launched 16 of his 19 homers.

Eric’s one weakness at the moment comes against left-handed pitching. He hit .237/.282/.303 against lefties in 2011, and that may have cost him rookie of the year honors.

Given his young age, quick rise through the minors and early success in the majors, the sky appears to be the limit for the Royals top prospect.