ernie Clement’s Unlikely Rise: From Waiver Wire to Blue Jays Star
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A remarkable postseason run culminated in raw emotion for Ernie Clement, who openly expressed his heartbreak following a narrow defeat, underscoring the deep bonds forged within the team. His journey, from being claimed off waivers to becoming a key contributor in a World Series bid, is a testament to perseverance and self-belief.
A Heartbreaking End to a Historic Run
The sting of defeat was palpable as Clement reflected on the team’s loss, admitting he had been crying for nearly an hour. “It was so much fun coming to work every day and battling with these guys,” he shared, adding, “We have so much to be proud of, even though it didn’t go our way.” A flyout with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, following a game-tying home run by the Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas, proved to be the decisive moment. Despite the disappointment, Clement expressed a simple desire: “All I care about is just hanging with these guys for another couple hours.”
From Cleveland to Toronto: A Story of Resilience
Clement’s path to prominence was far from straightforward. Initially drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians, he spent four years in their minor league system before making his debut in June 2021.However, his time with Cleveland was short-lived, being designated for assignment in September 2022. A quick claim by the Oakland Athletics offered a temporary reprieve, but he was waived again in March 2023. It was then that the Blue Jays saw an prospect, scooping him up and assigning him to their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, New York.
He spent the majority of 2023 honing his skills in Buffalo, appearing in 29 games for Toronto. But 2024 marked a turning point, with Clement playing in 139 games for the Blue Jays – surpassing his combined appearances with Cleveland and Oakland. By 2025, he had become a regular, featuring in 157 games and earning nominations for a Gold Glove award at both third base and as a utility player.
Believing in Himself
“I’ve always believed in myself. That’s something that I’ve never wavered from,” Clement stated, reflecting on his career trajectory.”Thru the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, I’ve always just brought it back to just believing in myself and knowing that I was ready for any opportunity that I got.” He expressed gratitude to the Blue Jays institution for their faith in him, saying, “I’m really grateful that the Blue Jays have believed in me and given me a good chance. The least I can do is get a couple hits in the playoffs for them, for him for giving me such a cool opportunity.”
A Playoff Performer
Clement’s impact extended far beyond “a couple hits.” Over three seasons with Toronto, he has maintained a .276 batting average, with 22 home runs, 111 runs batted in, and a .305 on-base percentage. His performance in the 2025 postseason was particularly remarkable, boasting a .411 batting average, a home run, six doubles, and nine RBIs across three rounds. He also achieved a .416 on-base percentage in 18 playoff games.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider lauded Clement’s performance as “historic,” stating, “We’re talking about really good pitchers, right-handers, left-handers. Ernie had a phenomenal year. I hope he wins a Gold Glove. He shoudl.” Schneider further emphasized Clement’s transformation, noting, “He became one of the faces of our team as of the way he plays.” He concluded, “Unbelievable run that he was on this entire post-season. he’s turned himself into what people think was a waiver wire pickup or a guy that’s kicked around the minors, he’s turned himself into an everyday Major Leaguer that is going to contribute to win a world championship.”
This report was first published by The canadian Press on November 1, 2025.
