Yesterday, MLB released a list of this year’s nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award.
Players such as Paul Goldschmidt, Joey Votto, Bo Bichette, and Brandon Crawford are among the nominees.
For the Cleveland Guardians, the nominee is the young right-hander Triston McKenzie.
During the past two seasons, McKenzie has pitched in at a local school in the Cleveland area, mentoring eighth grade students, sharing his experience as a professional athlete, and hosting them at events and games at Progressive Field.
McKenzie is heavily involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio.
“As a baseball player, it’s not only what I can do on the field, but how I can impact my community,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie Nominated For Clemente Award
McKenzie has been an instrumental voice in the Cleveland area for the past several years, devoting his time to important causes.
It’s nice to see his charitable efforts be recognized by Major League Baseball as he helps mentor children and prepare them for what lies ahead, encouraging them to follow their dreams.
And that’s only what he does off the field.
For the Guardians, he’s 9-11 with a 3.18 ERA in 26 starts, becoming a solid No. 2 starter behind Shane Bieber.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, McKenzie was drafted by the then-Cleveland Indians in 2015.
The right-hander made his debut late in the 2020 season and since then has emerged as one of Cleveland’s most reliable starters.
But as McKenzie alluded to, it’s not just what he can do on the field that drives him, but what he can do for the community in Cleveland.
This is what makes him a perfect choice for the Clemente Award.
We’ll see if the fans ultimately agree and give him their vote.
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