Ernie Clement Bio
Ernie James Clement is an American professional baseball utility player for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Born on March 22, 1996, he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB draft. Clement has played for the Cleveland Indians/Guardians and the Oakland Athletics, and he holds the record for the most hits in an MLB postseason with 30, achieved in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Ernie Clement was born in the United States and grew up in Rochester, New York. He attended Brighton High School, where he excelled in both baseball and ice hockey. During his high school career, he achieved an impressive batting average of .472. Despite his talents, Clement went undrafted in the 2014 MLB draft and subsequently enrolled at the University of Virginia to play college baseball.
Path to Baseball
At the University of Virginia, Clement made a significant impact during his freshman year in 2015, playing in 62 games and hitting .245 with one home run and 22 runs batted in. He played a pivotal role in helping the Virginia Cavaliers win their first national title, earning a spot on the All-CWS Team. His sophomore year saw him improve his batting average to .351, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference Third Team honors. In 2017, during his junior season, he continued to impress, hitting .315 with two home runs and 34 RBIs, which led to his selection by the Cleveland Indians in the 2017 MLB draft.
Ernie Clement Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
After being drafted, Clement made his professional debut with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, where he batted .280 in 45 games. He progressed through the minor leagues, playing for various teams including the Lake County Captains and the Akron RubberDucks. In 2019, he played 101 games, batting .269 with 28 RBIs. His performance earned him a spot in the Arizona Fall League. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 minor league season, and he was added to the Indians’ 40-man roster in November 2020.
Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Clement made his major league debut on June 13, 2021, as a pinch hitter for the Cleveland Indians. Over the course of the 2021 season, he played 40 games, hitting .231 with three home runs. In 2022, he became the first position player to pitch for the Indians since 2019. He appeared in 64 games that season but struggled offensively, batting .200.
Notable Works and Milestones
Clement’s career took a notable turn when he was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics in September 2022. He played six games for Oakland before being released in March 2023.
Toronto Blue Jays (2023–Present)
On March 14, 2023, Clement signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He excelled in Triple-A, hitting .328 with five home runs before being called up to the major league roster on May 23, 2023. In 2024, he batted .263 and was a finalist for a Gold Glove Award. His performance in 2025 was particularly remarkable, as he batted .277 and helped the Blue Jays win the American League East for the first time in ten seasons. Clement’s postseason performance was historic, setting a record for the most hits in a single MLB postseason with 30 hits, surpassing Randy Arozarena’s previous record.
Ernie Clement Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Ernie Clement has received recognition for his performance on the field, particularly during the postseason of 2025, where he set multiple records.
Ernie Clement Awards Won
Ernie Clement has not yet won any major awards but has been nominated for Gold Glove Awards for his defensive skills in 2025.
Ernie Clement Family
Information regarding Ernie Clement’s family is not publicly available at this time.
Personal Life
Details about Ernie Clement’s personal life, including marital status or children, are not publicly disclosed.