"Drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, Clement hit just 11 home runs in 1,652 plate appearances before joining the Jays organization on a minor league deal. It's been said that the Jays were the only team offering regular playing time, which is laughable now given how far Clement has come. In 2023 with the Buffalo Bisons, Clement managed to match his home run total, doing so in just 271 plate appearances."
"Heading into the 2024 season, the Jays need to make a choice between Sanitago Espinal and Clement, with the franchise choosing Clement, thus making the right decision. Although the Jays went 74-88 in 2024, Clement slashed a respectable .263/.284/.408 with 12 home runs in 452 plate appearances in what was his first full season in the big leagues. Overall, Clement finished with a 94 wRC+, earning a nomination for the third base Gold Glove."
"On the surface level, Clement's 2025 season was rather unspectacular as well, as he slashed .277/.313.398 with nine home runs in 588 plate appearances for a 98 wRC+. Of course, the utility player had a strong defensive season, finishing as a finalist for both the utility Gold Glove and third base Gold Glove. It was Clement's postseason that propelled the utility player to the forefront."
"It was Clement's postseason that propelled the utility player to the forefront. Over 18 games, Clement slashed .411/.416/.562 with a home run in 77 plate appearances for a 171 wRC+. Not just that, but Clement broke the all-time hits record with 30, just a spectacular, star-making performance from a player the Jays signed to a minor league deal."
Ernie Clement arrived in Toronto after limited power output in Cleveland's system, having hit 11 home runs across 1,652 minor-league plate appearances. Clement matched that home run total in 2023 with the Buffalo Bisons in just 271 plate appearances and earned a major-league call-up. The Blue Jays chose Clement over Santiago Espinal for the 2024 roster, and Clement produced a .263/.284/.408 line with 12 homers and a 94 wRC+ while receiving a Gold Glove nomination. In 2025 Clement posted modest offensive numbers but outstanding defense and a postseason explosion, recording 30 hits and elite playoff production.
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