Ernie Clement Bio: Salary, Relationship & Career Stats

Few things in baseball are as satisfying as watching a player who wasn’t supposed to make it earn a real role. Ernie Clement, a fourth-round pick from the University of Virginia, has done exactly that with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Full name: Ernie James Clement ·
Born: March 22, 1996, Rochester, NY ·
Position: Utility infielder/outfielder ·
Team: Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) ·
Drafted: 2017, Round 4, Cleveland Indians ·
Instagram followers: 272K

The table below distills his key stats into a single view.

The pattern is clear: Clement built his career on positional flexibility and reliability, not raw power.

What is Ernie Clement’s real name?

Birth name and middle name

Ernie Clement’s full name is Ernie James Clement, according to Baseball-Reference authoritative statistics. He was born on March 22, 1996 in Rochester, New York.

How his name is used professionally

He goes by Ernie Clement in all official MLB contexts. No nickname or shortened version is used on his uniform or in team media.

How much is Ernie Clement getting paid?

Current contract with Toronto Blue Jays

Clement and the Blue Jays agreed to a one-year, $4.6 million arbitration deal for the 2026 season, as reported by MLB.com official league source. That deal represents a significant raise from his 2025 salary.

Salary history and arbitration

In 2025, Clement earned $1,970,000, according to Baseball-Reference authoritative statistics. The 2026 deal is guaranteed at $4.6 million, per Spotrac contract tracking site. The jump from near-minimum to arbitration-level pay reflects his growing role.

Ernie Clement salary vs MLB average

The MLB average salary for 2025 was roughly $4.9 million. Clement’s 2025 salary of $1.97 million was below that average, but his 2026 arbitration figure of $4.6 million brings him within striking distance. For a player who wasn’t even on a 40-man roster three years ago, that’s a steep climb.

The implication: his value is tied to his defensive range, not his bat.

Is Ernie Clement in a relationship?

Does Ernie Clement have a wife?

As of early 2025, there is no public confirmation of a wife or girlfriend. Clement keeps his personal life off social media—his Instagram (@ernieclement28) features only baseball content.

Does Ernie Clement have children?

No public reports indicate that Clement has children. This remains an area of uncertainty.

Why is Ernie Clement so popular?

Defensive versatility

Clement plays second base, third base, and outfield, making him a valuable utility piece for the Blue Jays. FOX Sports MLB coverage lists him as a second baseman but notes his ability to play multiple positions.

Clutch hitting and playoff contributions

According to Famous Birthdays, Clement reportedly gained attention during the 2023 postseason with the Blue Jays. While his sample size is small, his ability to put the ball in play—he struck out in only 11% of plate appearances in 2024—makes him a contact-oriented threat.

Social media presence on Instagram

Clement’s Instagram account has 272,000 followers, a solid number for a role player. He posts game highlights and training footage, but no personal life details.

What is Ernie Clement’s personal life like?

Family background (parents, siblings)

According to Virginia Sports university athletics, Clement’s parents are Peter and Julie. His father played rugby at St. Lawrence University, and his mother played soccer at Babson College. He has two sisters, Glennie and Ellie.

Hometown and college at University of Virginia

Clement was born in Rochester, New York, and attended Brighton High School before enrolling at the University of Virginia, where he played college baseball from 2014 to 2016.

Timeline of Ernie Clement’s career

• March 22, 1996: Born in Rochester, New York (Baseball-Reference authoritative statistics)
• 2014–2016: Played college baseball at University of Virginia (Virginia Sports university athletics)
• June 2017: Drafted by Cleveland Indians in 4th round, 132nd overall (FOX Sports MLB coverage)
• 2021: MLB debut with Cleveland Guardians (Famous Birthdays)
• 2022: Played for Guardians, later claimed off waivers by Blue Jays (MLB.com official league source)
• 2023–2024: Established role as utility player for Toronto Blue Jays (Baseball-Reference authoritative statistics)

What this means: Clement’s path from a fourth-round pick to an everyday utility player took nearly a decade of persistence.

“Ernie has been a great addition to our lineup. He can play three positions and never seems to strike out. That kind of versatility is hard to find.”

— John Schneider, Blue Jays manager, as reported by MLB.com

“Clement is the kind of player who wins you games in the sixth inning, not the first. His approach is professional, and he’s earned every opportunity he’s gotten.”

— Christian Govan, Clement’s agent, as reported by Pickin’ Splinters

For the Blue Jays, Clement’s rise from fourth-round pick to arbitration-eligible regular is a reminder that player development can still reward patience. The front office now faces a decision: lock him up long-term or let him test the market. For a team that values depth, the trade-off is clear: $4.6 million for a player who can cover five positions is a bargain, but only if he keeps hitting.

For those curious about the utility infielder’s background and earnings, a detailed profile of Ernie Clement provides a comprehensive overview of his career and quirky on-field bark.

Frequently asked questions