Similarly, when the Toronto Blue Jays picked him up on a minor league contract later than month, the move flew under the radar.
The Toronto Blue Jays have themselves a dark horse MVP.
Damon from Blue Jays Nation writes that so far in 2025, Clement has elevated every aspect oh his game.
"Posting up with a 2.5 fWAR, the Blue Jays' Swiss-army knife is second on the team in fWAR and has already surpassed his 2024 output in 62 fewer games.
How's he doing it? At the plate. Clement's offensive WAR total from last year stood at a measly -2.3; this year it's at 5.3. What's been the single biggest factor for Clement's surge offensively from 2024 to 2025?
His absolute destruction of left-handed pitching. The difference in production doesn't even look real." -Damon
A major factor behind the Rochester native's surge against left-handed pitching is straightforward: he's pulling the ball more, up about 7% from 39.8% in 2024 to 45.9% in 2025, and he's doing it in the air.
"However, the Blue Jays' utility man has turned into a lefty murderer, and firmly amongst the elite of the elite in that aspect too.
When it comes to players with this type of profile at the plate - don't hit the ball hard, don't draw walks, low-end bat speed - the expected stats will always tell you they're due for regression, and that is also the case when it comes to Ernie Clement." -Damon
His outstanding defense and versatility as a super-utility player will ensure his longevity in the majors. And if his performance against lefties, despite some expected regression, continues to stay well above average, then you're looking at legitimate valuable ballplayer.