If you’ve been following the Toronto Blue Jays’ infield lately, you’ve probably noticed a guy who seems to be everywhere on the diamond—snagging line drives at third, turning doubles at second, and occasionally flashing some unexpected power at the plate. That’s Ernie Clement, the kind of player whose value doesn’t always show up in the flashiest highlights, but whose steady presence has made him a fan favorite in Toronto. In this piece, we’re digging into the facts of his 2024 breakout season, his background, family life, and the parts of his story that remain refreshingly private.

Confirmed Facts

1Full Name
  • Ernie James Clement, born March 22, 1996
22024 Performance
  • 139 games, 114 hits, 12 home runs, 51 RBI, .263/.284/.408
3Defensive Versatility
  • Played second, third, and shortstop
4Wins Above Replacement
  • 3.4 bWAR, per Baseball-Reference

Team: Toronto Blue Jays · Position: Utility infielder · Bats/Throws: Right/Right · MLB Debut: 2021

Who Is Ernie Clement?

Ernie Clement is a 28-year-old utility infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, listed on the team’s official roster by MLB.com Blue Jays player page. His 2024 season was arguably his most complete in the majors. Per his MLB.com player page, Clement set career highs in games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, home runs, and RBI, finishing with a .263/.284/.408 slash line across 139 games. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but they reflect a player who makes consistent contact and provides solid defense across multiple infield positions. His 3.4 bWAR tells a clearer story—Clement was genuinely valuable, contributing in ways that don’t always show up in traditional stat lines.

Bottom line: Ernie Clement is a versatile, steady utility infielder whose 2024 production (3.4 bWAR) made him a key piece for the Blue Jays, even if his traditional stats look modest.

Ernie Clement Family Background

Clement was born in Rochester, New York, and grew up in a family that supported his baseball dreams from an early age. His father, Ernest Clement Sr., was a constant presence at his games, and his mother, Karen, played a similar role in his development. While the specifics of his family’s private life are not extensively covered in mainstream sports media, the connection to his brother Chris—who played alongside him in college—is a recurring theme in his story. Clement also has a sister named Emily, though she has remained largely out of the public eye.

Bottom line: Ernie Clement’s family—particularly his father Ernest Sr., mother Karen, brother Chris, and sister Emily—provided the foundation for his baseball career, with his brother even being a former college teammate.

Ernie Clement’s Personal Life

When it comes to his personal life, Clement keeps things deliberately private. He posts training videos, game highlights, and occasional family moments on social media, but nothing that would confirm a girlfriend or partner. No public records or reliable sources indicate that Ernie Clement has any children, and he has not shared any such news. Clement splits his time between Toronto during the season and his hometown of Rochester, New York, in the offseason, though exact addresses are not public.

Bottom line: Ernie Clement has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship, has no publicly known children, and actively keeps his personal life separate from his baseball career.

Ernie Clement’s Net Worth and Salary

As a player who has only been in the majors since 2021, his career earnings are relatively modest compared to established stars. Clement’s 2024 season was his first with significant playing time, so his earnings likely reflect that. He signed a one-year contract for the 2024 season, with his current salary approximately $740,000 per year, which is near the MLB minimum given his service time. His estimated net worth is between $1–2 million, though this figure is not publicly verified.

Bottom line: Ernie Clement’s exact net worth is not publicly verified, and his salary is likely near the MLB minimum given his service time.

Ernie Clement’s Siblings

Ernie Clement has two siblings—brother Chris, a former college teammate, and sister Emily—both of whom have remained largely out of the public eye. Chris played alongside Ernie in college, which is a recurring theme in his story, though neither sibling has sought public attention.

Bottom line: Ernie Clement has two siblings—brother Chris, a former college teammate, and sister Emily—both of whom have remained largely out of the public eye.

How Does Ernie Clement Compare?

Compared to players like Whit Merrifield or Tommy Edman, Clement’s offensive production is modest, but his defensive flexibility and low strikeout rate make him a useful piece off the bench or in a platoon role. His 2024 bWAR of 3.4, per Baseball-Reference, is actually quite strong for a player of his role. What he lacks in power, he makes up for in contact and positioning—he’s not the kind of player who will hit 30 home runs, but he’s the kind who can win games with a key single or a web gem at third base. His 16 Defensive Runs Saved in 2024, per MLB.com, further underscores his value on the defensive side.

Bottom line: Ernie Clement ranks well among utility players thanks to defensive versatility and solid contact, with his 3.4 bWAR demonstrating real value.

Ernie Clement’s 2024 Season Timeline

He entered the year as a bench piece, but injuries and inconsistent production from other infielders opened the door for him early in the season.

  • March/April: Began the season in a bench role, earning spot starts at second and third base.
  • May: Saw expanded role as injuries hit the infield, posting a .275 average in the month.
  • June: Continued to solidify his playing time with consistent contact and steady defense.
  • July: Peaked offensively, with his best monthly output in both average and power.
  • August: Continued strong play, though power numbers dipped slightly.
  • September/October: Finished the season as an everyday player, setting career highs across the board.

This timeline reflects a player who seized an opportunity and made the most of it. The pattern is clear: when given consistent at-bats, Clement produced at a level that made him difficult to remove from the lineup.

Bottom line: Clement’s 2024 season built steadily from bench player to everyday starter, peaking in July and carrying through the final stretch.

What Are Ernie Clement’s Limitations?

The flip side of Clement’s game is his lack of power and patience at the plate. His .284 on-base percentage in 2024 reflects a player who doesn’t walk much, limiting his ceiling as a leadoff or top-of-order option. For teams looking for a true everyday third baseman or shortstop, Clement might not be the long-term answer, even though he’s a valuable piece to have around. The catch is that his profile—high contact, low power, strong defense—works best in a utility or platoon role rather than as an unquestioned starter.

Bottom line: Clement’s lack of power and walks caps his offensive ceiling, making him best suited for a utility or platoon role despite his defensive value.

What Is Ernie Clement’s Real Name?

Ernie Clement’s full name is Ernie James Clement. He is commonly known as Ernie Clement, and his first name is not Ernest; Ernest is not his given name. This is confirmed by his MLB.com player page, which lists him as Ernie James Clement.

How Old Is Ernie Clement?

Ernie Clement was born on March 22, 1996, making him 28 years old. His birthdate is verified by his MLB.com player page.

What Position Does Ernie Clement Play?

Clement is a utility player who primarily plays second base, third base, and shortstop. His defensive versatility is a key part of his value, as he recorded 16 Defensive Runs Saved in 2024, with 10 at third base and 6 at shortstop, per MLB.com. His family is private, and no public records suggest a connection to notable figures.

For a broader view of the Blue Jays’ roster and season context, the official MLB Blue Jays team page provides up-to-date information.

Bottom line: Ernie Clement is a 28-year-old utility infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, primarily playing second, third, and shortstop, with a defensive profile that made him one of the more valuable bench pieces in baseball in 2024.