Friday, September 26

Welcome to the latest edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato.

Veteran right-hander Trevor Williams was selected as the Nationals’ nominee for the 2025 Roberto Clemente Award, considered the most prestigious individual honor in Major League Baseball. 

The annual distinction “recognizes the MLB player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions both on and off the field.” 

One nominee is chosen by each team, with voting open through Sunday:

• VOTE NOW: 2025 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One

Williams co-founded Project 34 with former Arizona State teammate Cory Hahn to positively impact those with spinal cord injuries. Hahn was paralyzed from the chest down by an injury to his C-5 vertebra during a game in 2011. 

Since its creation, Project 34 has been awarded nearly $600,000 in grants to provide financial relief to spinal cord injury survivors and caregivers. Last year, the nonprofit gave over $220,000 in aid to 144 individuals.

Williams, who joined the Nationals in 2023, has facilitated an annual Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day at Nationals Park with the Washington Nationals Philanthropies. The Nats host individuals living with spinal cord injuries at these games and donate proceeds from the 50/50 raffle to Project 34. 

Williams has chosen his jersey numbers over the years to honor Hahn.

“That was his number, and so I wore 34 with the Pirates when it became available to me in 2018,” Williams recounted in Spring Training 2023. “Then when I went to the Cubs [in ‘21], 34 wasn't really available because Jon Lester had just come to the Nationals. I'm like, ‘I'm not going to take No. 34 from Jon Lester, that means too much to the Cubs.’ So then when I asked my buddy Cory, I said, ‘What number would you have chosen?’ And I gave him a list of numbers. He said he would have been No. 32 at ASU if a senior didn't have that number, so that was an easy choice. Then I went from 34 to 32, and then 32 was available with this team, so I chose 32 off that.”

Williams also supports active-duty military service members and veterans. 

“My dad was a Marine,” Williams said. “Growing up, he was heavily involved in the Marine Corps, he still works for the Marine Corps today. For me, it’s just always been part of my family.”

Williams’ community involvement has included participating in the Nats on Base leadership forum; visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall prior to Memorial Day; speaking with pitchers and catchers from the Naval Academy baseball team at Nationals Park; and building relationships with families from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

Williams held a meet-and-greet with members on Friday as part of the Nationals annual Heroes Day. He also launched a program wherein members of the Nats pitching staff created “challenge coins” to partake in coin swapping.

The Nationals recognized the following prospects as the recipients of the 2025 Minor League Player of the Year Awards. The winners were selected by interim general manager Mike DeBartolo and assistant GM, player development and administration Eddie Longosz. 

• Hitter of the Year: INF/OF Phillip Glasser

• Pitcher of the Year: RHP Riley Cornelio

• Defensive Player of the Year: OF Cristhian Vaquero (No. 25 prospect)

• Baserunner of the Year: INF Seaver King (No. 7 prospect)

• Nationals Way Award: OF Andrew Pinckney (No. 30 prospect)

Josiah Gray completed a three-start rehab assignment in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings with Triple-A Rochester on Friday. 

Since the Minor League schedule has concluded, Gray returned to West Palm Beach, Fla., to begin his offseason program in preparation for Spring Training. 

“The decision was made because he did his rehab, he was in good spirits, he’s healthy,” said interim manager Miguel Cairo. “Now, we want him to go home, relax and be ready for next season. … He’s going to have a whole winter working out to get stronger and be healthy.” 

In three games, Gray pitched a total of 5 2/3 frames with four hits, no runs, five walks, five strikeouts and one hit batter. He began at High-A Wilmington on Sept. 7 and moved up to Double-A Harrisburg on Sept. 13. 

Gray underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure on July 24, 2024.

Through Saturday: Jerseys Off Their Backs raffle

Friday: Country Day (special ticket required); Branch Appreciation Day -- U.S. Air Force; Nats Postgame Summer Concert Series -- Riley Green

Saturday: See You Later Day; Hello Kitty Day (special ticket required); Signature Saturday

Sunday: Salvadoran Heritage Day (special ticket required); Pups in the Park (special ticket required); Signature Sunday; Face painters and make-your-own slime activity; Kids Run the Bases

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