Toronto Blue Jays' breakout star Ernie Clement just earned huge career win

Ernie Clement will be representing Team USA on the world stage. 

The 29-year-old Toronto Blue Jays fan favourite is continuing his meteoric rise after a historic postseason run last season. On Tuesday morning, it was announced that Clement will be competing for his native USA at the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March. 

Clement will join a stacked Team USA infield, which currently boasts the likes of Brice Turang, Gunnar Henderson, and Bobby Witt Jr., as well as Cal Raleigh and Will Smith at the catcher position. 

Ernie Clement is IN for the World Baseball Classic 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/rax7XDUVfu

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) January 13, 2026

This career development marks yet another big step in Clement's pro career and one that would have seemed entirely unlikely at the onset of the 2025 season. 

When Clement joined the Blue Jays on a minor league contract in 2023, nobody batted an eye at him. He was yet another minor leaguer who didn't appear to have a great shot at becoming a regular MLB player, let alone one with star potential.

However, from that point on, the New York native kept working at it and progressively rose through the ranks until he broke out in a big way last season. He capped off his impressive 2025 run by claiming the MLB record for most hits in a single postseason, smashing 30 en route to Game 7 of the World Series last fall.

With the Blue Jays seemingly close to losing Bo Bichette in free agency, Clement's role could continue to grow heading into the 2026 season. He is fresh off signing a one-year deal, $4.6 million contract with Toronto, avoiding arbitration. 

Though most Jays fans will be rooting for Team Canada at the WBC, you can bet a good chunk will be turning on Team USA games to root for Ernie.