Blue Jays' Clement named all-star after receiving most votes in American League
Clement Secures All-Star Spot
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement has been named an MLB All-Star, securing the most fan votes among American League players. This achievement grants him an automatic spot on the AL roster for the midsummer classic. Clement’s selection marks his first career All-Star nod, following a significant career resurgence over the past three seasons in Toronto.
Clement received a total of 3,232,932 votes, positioning him as the AL’s second baseman. His vote count surpassed other notable players, including Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
In the National League, Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani led all players with 3,341,257 votes, securing the overall lead in voting. Clement acknowledged Ohtani’s lead, stating, “It’s tough coming in second place to the Dodgers again. That’s my first thought. But he’s one of the greatest players to ever play this game.” Clement also expressed his appreciation, adding, “I don’t mind being in the same conversation as these guys. It’s pretty funny to me, honestly, and it’s really cool. It’s a really cool honour. I feel the love from Canada and all Blue Jays’ fans, and it means a lot.”
Blue Jays Dominate Phase 1 Finalists
The Blue Jays demonstrated strong fan support across multiple positions in Phase 1 of the All-Star voting. The team has finalists at every available position, indicating a broad base of support from fans. These finalists will now proceed to Phase 2, where a new round of voting will determine the starters for each position.
Among the Blue Jays players who made the cut as finalists are catcher Alejandro Kirk, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, shortstop Andrés Gimenez, outfielders Daulton Varsho and Jesus Sanchez, and designated hitter George Springer. Kirk’s inclusion is notable as he played in only 13 games after missing nearly three months due to a fractured thumb.
Clement’s performance this season has been a significant factor in his All-Star selection. He currently holds a .292 batting average with seven home runs and 28 RBIs over 77 games. He also leads the league with 20 doubles, contributing to an impressive .292/.313/.437 slash line. His strong bat-to-ball ability and defensive versatility have made him a key player for Toronto.
Career Resurgence and Postseason Success
Clement’s journey to becoming an All-Star has been marked by a notable career resurgence. Drafted by Cleveland in 2017, he made his MLB debut four seasons later in 2021. After initial struggles with the Guardians and a brief stint with the Oakland Athletics, Clement was signed by the Blue Jays during spring training in the 2023 season.
Since joining Toronto, Clement has flourished, playing in 373 games over the past three seasons and tallying 110 extra-base hits with a .276 batting average. His contributions were particularly evident during the Blue Jays’ playoff run last season, where he played in 18 games and set a major league record for a single postseason with 30 hits.
The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia. This year’s AL All-Star team will be managed by Blue Jays skipper John Schneider, a result of the Blue Jays advancing to the World Series last season. Phase 2 voting is set to begin on Monday, June 29, with the starters to be revealed on Thursday, July 2.
Source: sportsnet.ca
