The Rockies have their Roberto Clemente Award nominee, and it’s Kyle Freeland.
Colorado announced its homegrown left-hander as the club’s 2026 nominee for one of baseball’s most meaningful honors, the award that recognizes excellence on the field and service away from it. The distinction traces back to 1971, when it was first called the Commissioner Award before later being renamed for Roberto Clemente, who died in a plane crash while trying to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Freeland fits the spirit of the award in a very specific way: he has spent his entire professional career in Colorado after the Rockies took him in the first round of the 2014 draft. That long relationship with the state has only deepened through his work in the community.
A big part of that work has centered on Special Olympics Colorado. Freeland and his wife, Ashley, have raised money for the program and have also made a habit of showing up in person, including as regular attendees at regionals. He has also used his name to help generate more support, organizing custom and memorabilia auctions that send every dollar to year-long training and competition for local athletes.
His connection to SOCO goes back well before this season, or even the last one. Freeland got involved when he was living in Grand Junction and playing for an affiliate team, years before he ever reached the majors.
Beyond that, he has also made time to help younger players in his home state. Freeland has worked with them on grip patterns, talked through pitching mechanics, and answered questions along the way.
The Rockies’ nomination of Freeland comes with the kind of off-field profile the Clemente Award was built to spotlight: a player who has done plenty for his team, and even more for his community.
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