North Carolina State University Athletics
#PackPro Carlos Rodón Nominated for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award
9/16/2026 10:43:00 AM | Baseball
New York, New York – For the second consecutive year, former NC State Baseball pitcher and current New York Yankees starter Carlos Rodón has been named the team's nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.
The Roberto Clemente Award is presented annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions on and off the field.
Each MLB Club nominates a player each year for consideration for the Award in tribute to Clemente's achievements and character. This year's nominees include players whose community and philanthropic efforts have focused on important issues such as raising awareness and funds to support people with cancer and other illnesses or special needs, advancing education for young people, providing natural disaster relief, and expanding outreach to underserved children and communities in the United States and abroad.
Fans can vote for Rodón HERE
The recognition reflects the Carlos Rodón Foundation's growing reach, the fertility and pregnancy-loss charity he runs with his wife, Ashley, a cause built directly on the couple's own fertility journey.
Through their nonprofit, the Carlos Rodón Foundation, Carlos and Ashley provide financial assistance and resources to couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss. As of September 2026, the Foundation has awarded $715,000 in grants to 60 families across 17 states, with 34 families currently in treatment, 15 babies on the way, and four Willow Grant babies born. In just three years, the Carlos Rodón Foundation's annual Willow Gala has raised more than $1.8 million.
The August 2026 event alone brought in over $1 million. The foundation has also partnered with Alto Pharmacy to reduce fertility-medication costs for grant recipients.
Carlos and Ashley founded the foundation in 2024 after enduring two miscarriages while preparing for in vitro fertilization, an experience that directly led to the Willow Grant, named for their daughter Willow, according to the foundation's website. The grant typically provides $10,000 to $20,000 toward treatment costs for couples who have experienced pregnancy loss, according to the Willow Grant's program page.
Ashley has led the foundation's clinical partnerships and its annual gala since the couple launched the gala.
Greenwich, Connecticut, declared Sept. 8, 2025, "Willow Grant Day" in recognition of the foundation's work, according to an official city proclamation. The Rodóns have also participated in Yankees HOPE Week outreach tied to the cause, including a visit centered on the nonprofit Bottomless Closet, which helps women prepare for job interviews.
Throughout his 12-year Major League Baseball career, Carlos Rodón has achieved several notable milestones, including three All-Star selections, an American League pennant, and MLB's 307th no-hitter in 2021. While the southpaw continues to earn accolades on the diamond, his dedication to service has become just as defining as his accomplishments on the field. In recognition of those efforts, Carlos and his wife, Ashley, were named recipients of the 2025 Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Community Service Award, an honor bestowed on members of the baseball community who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to service.
Carlos' commitment to service extends to the baseball community that shaped his life. Through the Carlos Rodón Foundation, he supports two travel baseball teams and one travel softball team, helping young athletes access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Carlos and Ashley also donated to NC State to fund the Carlos Rodón Pitching Lab, a state-of-the-art facility that supports the baseball program's future and gives back to the university that played a pivotal role in his development.
"As Carlos is honored to be nominated by the New York Yankees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, we wanted to share a piece of his work that means so much to our program," former head coach Elliott Avent said. "Carlos donated to help create a pitching lab for future generations of NC State baseball, giving young athletes access to a space where they can learn, work, and dream a little bigger."
"We're incredibly proud of the work he continues to do on and off the field, and grateful that this program and the people who helped shape him will always be part of that story."
Carlos also participates annually in the New York Yankees' H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) Week initiative, which recognizes individuals, families, and nonprofits for meaningful contributions to their communities.
Carlos Rodón is committed to making a difference both on and off the field. Through his dedication to service, leadership, and philanthropy, he consistently goes above and beyond to improve others' lives. His commitment to helping those in need has earned him recognition as the New York Yankees' nominee for this year's prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
The Roberto Clemente Award is presented annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions on and off the field.
Each MLB Club nominates a player each year for consideration for the Award in tribute to Clemente's achievements and character. This year's nominees include players whose community and philanthropic efforts have focused on important issues such as raising awareness and funds to support people with cancer and other illnesses or special needs, advancing education for young people, providing natural disaster relief, and expanding outreach to underserved children and communities in the United States and abroad.
Fans can vote for Rodón HERE
The recognition reflects the Carlos Rodón Foundation's growing reach, the fertility and pregnancy-loss charity he runs with his wife, Ashley, a cause built directly on the couple's own fertility journey.
Through their nonprofit, the Carlos Rodón Foundation, Carlos and Ashley provide financial assistance and resources to couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss. As of September 2026, the Foundation has awarded $715,000 in grants to 60 families across 17 states, with 34 families currently in treatment, 15 babies on the way, and four Willow Grant babies born. In just three years, the Carlos Rodón Foundation's annual Willow Gala has raised more than $1.8 million.
The August 2026 event alone brought in over $1 million. The foundation has also partnered with Alto Pharmacy to reduce fertility-medication costs for grant recipients.
Carlos and Ashley founded the foundation in 2024 after enduring two miscarriages while preparing for in vitro fertilization, an experience that directly led to the Willow Grant, named for their daughter Willow, according to the foundation's website. The grant typically provides $10,000 to $20,000 toward treatment costs for couples who have experienced pregnancy loss, according to the Willow Grant's program page.
Ashley has led the foundation's clinical partnerships and its annual gala since the couple launched the gala.
Greenwich, Connecticut, declared Sept. 8, 2025, "Willow Grant Day" in recognition of the foundation's work, according to an official city proclamation. The Rodóns have also participated in Yankees HOPE Week outreach tied to the cause, including a visit centered on the nonprofit Bottomless Closet, which helps women prepare for job interviews.
Throughout his 12-year Major League Baseball career, Carlos Rodón has achieved several notable milestones, including three All-Star selections, an American League pennant, and MLB's 307th no-hitter in 2021. While the southpaw continues to earn accolades on the diamond, his dedication to service has become just as defining as his accomplishments on the field. In recognition of those efforts, Carlos and his wife, Ashley, were named recipients of the 2025 Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Community Service Award, an honor bestowed on members of the baseball community who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to service.
Carlos' commitment to service extends to the baseball community that shaped his life. Through the Carlos Rodón Foundation, he supports two travel baseball teams and one travel softball team, helping young athletes access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Carlos and Ashley also donated to NC State to fund the Carlos Rodón Pitching Lab, a state-of-the-art facility that supports the baseball program's future and gives back to the university that played a pivotal role in his development.
"As Carlos is honored to be nominated by the New York Yankees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, we wanted to share a piece of his work that means so much to our program," former head coach Elliott Avent said. "Carlos donated to help create a pitching lab for future generations of NC State baseball, giving young athletes access to a space where they can learn, work, and dream a little bigger."
"We're incredibly proud of the work he continues to do on and off the field, and grateful that this program and the people who helped shape him will always be part of that story."
Carlos also participates annually in the New York Yankees' H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) Week initiative, which recognizes individuals, families, and nonprofits for meaningful contributions to their communities.
Carlos Rodón is committed to making a difference both on and off the field. Through his dedication to service, leadership, and philanthropy, he consistently goes above and beyond to improve others' lives. His commitment to helping those in need has earned him recognition as the New York Yankees' nominee for this year's prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.
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