The nominees for the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award were unveiled earlier today. The Phillies’ nominee for the award this season is right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola.
Nola, 27, was drafted in the first round by the Phillies in 2014 and debuted with the big club just over a year later. Along with becoming the best homegrown Phillies pitcher in the last decade, Nola is known for his philanthropic efforts on and off the field.
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, Nola raised funds for the Hospitality Assistance Response of Pennsylvania (HARP) as part of the “Cheers PA” virtual fundraiser with Yuengling.
The former LSU standout is also involved in both raising awareness and raising funds to fight ALS. In January 2020, Nola, along with his brother Austin, hosted a celebrity bowling tournament in Louisiana in support of The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter in honor of their Uncle Alan, who is currently battling ALS.
Other community endeavors include speaking to Philadelphia public school students about bullying, providing young athletes advice alongside manager Joe Girardi and teammate Mikie Mahtook in the “Champions Rise Challenge,” and hosting the Philadelphia Futures “Get in the Game” bowling tournament in 2019. The event raised $160,000 for a high school mentoring program based in Philadelphia.
Fans can vote for Nola on MLB.com.