Salvador Perez won the award last year. Bobby Witt Jr. is KC’s nominee in 2025
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- Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. named team nominee for 2025 Roberto Clemente Award
- Witt supports literacy, youth sports and ALS fundraising across Kansas City
- MLB fans can vote for Witt online through Sept. 28 to support his nomination
The Kansas City Royals will commemorate Roberto Clemente Day on Tuesday ahead of their series opener against the Seattle Mariners.
Prior to that game, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was named the club’s 2025 Roberto Clemente Award nominee. He will look to join teammate Salvador Perez — who won the award last season — as the latest honoree for his work on and off the field.
Witt received his first career nomination Monday. He continues to make a community impact by visiting children from the Dream Factory and supporting multiple organizations in the Kansas City area.
“Baseball players at all levels know Roberto Clemente’s impact, and it’s an honor to be a small piece of carrying that forward,” Witt said in a news release. “I am grateful to have a platform through the Royals and baseball to help others, and I hope to live up to that responsibility.”
In 2024, Witt hosted a baseball clinic to support Sarah’s Soldiers. The event raised $45,000 while financially supporting Sarah Nauser and others battling ALS.
This season, Witt continued his work promoting education and literacy. He has made special visits to area schools to share the importance of reading and writing.
In spring training, Witt was also named the first Play Ball Ambassador to encourage youth participation in baseball and softball.
Major League Baseball will honor the Roberto Clemente Award winner during the 2025 World Series. A blue-ribbon panel including Roberto Clemente’s children will help select the league-wide recipient later this season.
Royals fans can get involved as well. An official ballot on MLB.com began Monday and will run through Sept. 28. The leading vote-getter will get one vote toward the blue-ribbon panel.
“Everyone sees Bobby’s talent on the field, but we also know he is selfless, conscientious and intentional about making the world around him better,” Royals owner John Sherman said in the news release. “Watching him grow into one of Kansas City’s most beloved ambassadors has been extremely gratifying.”
This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM with the headline "Salvador Perez won the award last year. Bobby Witt Jr. is KC’s nominee in 2025."
