Jordan Walker and Nasim Nuñez named 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominees

Every September, MLB pauses the standings talk for a minute to hand out its most human award. The Roberto Clemente Award isn't about OPS or ERA — it's given to the player who best represents the game through character, community work and what they do when the cameras aren't rolling for a highlight reel. Each of the 30 teams sends up one nominee, and this week two more names got added to that list.

The Nationals went with Nasim Nuñez. He's set to be honored on the field before Tuesday night's game against the Phillies, a nice moment for a guy who's spent his career grinding for everyday roster spots. According to Nationals beat writer Mark Zuckerman, the recognition comes with an in-stadium ceremony, not just a press release nobody reads.

Down in St. Louis, the Cardinals picked Jordan Walker, a first-time nominee for the honor. Beat writer Derrick Goold made a point of noting the Cardinals have won this award for charitable work and leadership more than any other franchise — which, if you've followed the club's history with this specific trophy, checks out. It's a real point of pride in that clubhouse, not just a nice-to-have.

This isn't a random popularity contest, either. MLB's own description frames the award around extraordinary character, community involvement and philanthropy — and this year's full 30-team slate leans into that on purpose, with nominees tied to everything from cancer awareness work to youth education programs to disaster relief efforts. Walker and Nuñez now sit in that group alongside names like Kyle Schwarber for the Phillies and Francisco Lindor for the Mets.

From here, fans get a say — MLB runs a voting period before a blue-ribbon panel makes the final call, and the winner gets honored on the biggest stage the sport has: during the World Series broadcast. It's the rare individual award where the stat line means nothing and the résumé is measured in something else entirely.

Neither Walker nor Nuñez is walking away with the actual trophy just by being nominated — that part's a long way off. But getting picked as your team's rep for an award named after Roberto Clemente is its own kind of honor, and it's a nice reminder that these guys are doing real work in their communities well outside of box scores.