Ernie Clement

Ernie Clement's Biography

Ernie James Clement, born on March 22, 1996, is an esteemed professional in the game of American baseball. He has exhibited great skill and versatility throughout his career, as showcased by his current role as a utility player for Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Toronto Blue Jays. His journey in the majors has also seen him don various jerseys, including those of the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Guardians) and the Oakland Athletics.

Originally hailing from Rochester, New York, the roots of his baseball prowess can be traced back to his years at Brighton High School. Despite his academic commitments, he found time to engage in baseball and ice hockey, flaunting his athletic abilities. His high school baseball career was marked by a remarkable .472 average, catching the attention of many.

Post high school, Clement was not drafted in the 2014 MLB draft, encouraging him to pursue further education at the University of Virginia while continuing his baseball journey. His freshman year in 2015 saw him active in 62 games, with an average of .245. The noteworthy point in this stint was his contribution to Virginia’s maiden national title win, as he achieved a .292 average in the 2015 College World Series, earning him a place in the All-CWS Team.

The summers of his University years were also marked by baseball, as he spent his time sharpening his skills in the highly competitive Northwoods League and Cape Cod Baseball League. His sophomore year provided further proof of his baseball prowess with stats of .351/383/.443, one home run, and thirty RBIs in sixty games, leading to his inclusion in the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Third Team. He continued to prove his excellence in his junior season as well, holding strong with a .315 batting average, two home runs, and 34 RBIs, earning him All-ACC Third Team honors yet again.

In 2017, his consistent and exemplary university performances led to his selection in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians. His professional journey started with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, where he maintained an average of .280. Through the course of his career in 2018 and 2019, Clement played for various clubs, such as the Lake County Captains, Lynchburg Hillcats, Akron RubberDucks, and lastly, the Columbus Clippers. Throughout these years, he maintained commendable performances, often reaching batting averages above .269, only hit by a minor setback due to an adductor strain in 2019.

Due to the unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic, the entirety of Clement’s 2020 was spent away from the field. Still, his talents didn’t go unnoticed, leading to his addition to the Indians’ 40-man roster in November 2020. This paved the way for his major league debut in 2021, following a brief return to Columbus.

His debut on June 13, 2021, was a notable event, even as he struggled at his first plate appearance against the Seattle Mariners. Continuing with the Indians, he demonstrated commendable results during the season. Despite a tough run in 2022, he became the first position player to pitch for Cleveland since Mike Freeman in 2019, and was later claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.

His journey with the Athletics was short-lived, however, as he was designated for assignment due to the recruitment of Aledmys Díaz and Jace Peterson. His time with the Triple-A team, the Las Vegas Aviators, ended without him stepping foot on the field.

In March 2023, Clement breathed new life into his career, signing a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. His time with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons showcased promising performance with an average of .328, leading to his eventual promotion to the active roster of the Blue Jays. His career now continues as a vibrant part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ team, reflecting a journey marked by resilience, tenacity and continual growth.