D-backs INF Josh Rojas nominated for Roberto Clemente Award

Diamondbacks infielder Josh Rojas was named Arizona’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee for the 2022 season on Thursday.

The award, established in 2002, honors a player each year who represents baseball through character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions on and off the field.

All 30 teams get one nominee annually, and this year, there are 16 first-time options. Rojas is one of them.

The winner of the award will be decided by a panel including Commissioner Rob Manfred, MLB-affiliated networks, Roberto Clemente’s children and a fan vote.

Rojas is being honored for his support of youth baseball in the west Valley, as he hosts free camps and clinics. At the 2022 Evening on the Diamond gala, Rojas and the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation raised $120,000 to support youth baseball and scholarships for high school athletes by auctioning a truck.

The Valley native also donated gear to Millennium High School in Goodyear, where he played.

Former D-backs players Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Diekman are also nominees. David Peralta was Arizona’s nominee last season, and longtime MLB veteran Nelson Cruz took home the award.

Fans can vote online until Oct. 5.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Clemente’s death, which MLB is horning by hosting a food packaging volunteer event with past award winners at Citi Field, as the Pittsburgh Pirates will play the New York Mets on Roberto Clemente Day.

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