The Washington Nationals have put Nasim Nunez forward as their nominee for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, a distinction that reaches well beyond box scores and highlight reels.
The award honors the player who best represents baseball through “extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field,” and Nunez has built his case through steady work away from the diamond. In his third season with Washington, he has been active in the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, taking part in the summer program, the annual holiday gift drive and the graduation ceremony. This year, he also broadened that outreach by working with the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletics Association (DCIAA) and meeting with groups of baseball and softball players to offer advice and encouragement.
Nunez’s path to the nomination also connects back to programs that helped shape him earlier in his career. He was once part of MLB youth development initiatives such as the Breakthrough Series and the Hank Aaron Invitational, and now he’s in the position of giving that same energy back to younger athletes.
“A lot of my family and friends are super proud of me. I always wanted MVP Awards, best player, awards like that.
When you're younger, those are the awards that stand out to you the most. But now that I've got the Roberto Clemente Award nomination and I'm seeing the impact that it's leaving, it's changing my perspective,” he said, per Jessica Camerato of MLB.com.
The nomination comes during a hard stretch in Nunez’s personal life. He was placed on the bereavement list on Sept. 10 and activated from it on Sept. 13 after the death of his cousin Bubba, who was also a close friend.
“My cousin who just passed away always told me, 'In life, you've got to have morals.' So it's pretty dope that just being me can be pretty impactful,” Nunez said, per Camerato.
"... He was always like, 'Continue to have morals.
You're a good dude, and continue to be a good dude, no matter how much money, how much fame, the people you get to know.' He was always like, 'Keep the morals.
Keep the morals.'"
Nunez is one of 14 first-time nominees for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, a list that reflects how many players are making their mark outside of baseball as well as in it. Fans can vote for Nunez at MLB.com.
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