Academy Notebook: Whataburger and Texas Rangers Youth Academy team up to honor rising stars, Marcus Semien recognized for his dedication to the Youth Academy, earns Roberto Clemente award nomination and Umps Care Leadership Program takes off at Youth Academy

Whataburger Rising Stars celebrated during pregame at Globe Life Field

To celebrate the Whataburger Rising Stars, student-athletes from the Texas Rangers Youth Academy were honored during pre-game ceremonies ahead of the Rangers-Athletics game on Friday, Aug. 30. Each summer, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy and Whataburger partner for the Whataburger Rising Stars program, this initiative highlights exceptional Rangers Nike RBI season moments. The program honors athletes for their performance on and off the field, including their teamwork, sportsmanship and dedication. The 11 winners were nominated by their Nike RBI coaches:

• Cameron Hardaway, Dieterich Middle School – Baseball
• Derrion Brooks, South Grand Prairie High School – Baseball
• Hector Ponce, Thomas Jefferson High School – Baseball
• Javier Almanza, South Grand Prairie High School – Baseball
• Josh Castaneda, Cedar Hill High School – Baseball
• Pablo Benitez, Sunset High School – Baseball
• Santos Salinas, Molina High School – Baseball
• Jordan Gilreath, Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy – Baseball and Softball
• Daisy Armendariz, Sam Houston High School – Baseball and Softball
• Aileen Campuzano-Chaos Jr., Hillcrest High School – Softball
• Ashley Lugo, Adamson High School – Softball

QUICK HITS

This week at the Academy: The Umps Care Leadership Program

• What it is: The Umps Care Charities leadership program is an initiative by Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires that focuses on giving back to the community through various outreach efforts.

• Why it matters: Through this program, attendees will develop important life skills that extend far beyond baseball. The students will learn life and leadership skills in the classroom, such as goal setting, financial literacy and handling situations. They will also learn the foundations of umpiring, rules, skills and mechanics.

• Go Deeper: There are many perks to being involved with the program, including a group outing to a Rangers game to meet Major League Umpires, connections with local umpire assignors and credit to purchase equipment from Ump Attire.

Texas Rangers Second Baseman Marcus Semien named nominee for Roberto Clemente Award presented By Capital One

• What it is: The Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One, is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Rangers Baseball Manager Bruce Bochy will help recognize Semien in a pregame ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 17, when Texas hosts the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m.

• Go Deeper: Since 2022, Semien has participated in the Annual Texas Rangers Youth Academy distribution, which donates over 200 Thanksgiving dinners to local families in West Dallas at the Youth Academy. In 2023 and 2024, Semien and his wife, Tarah, expanded their efforts by sponsoring The Semien Family Food Distribution, partnering with the non-profit Food for the Soul to provide over 1,500 boxes of fresh produce and shelf-stable goods to Youth Academy athletes throughout summer programming. Semien has also helped secure a $5,000 grant each year for equipment for the Academy and has served for two years in the Nike RBI Ambassador Program.

• How to vote: Fans can vote for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One via MLBTogether.com/clementeaward (in both English and Spanish). More details about the selection process can be found on MLB.com.