Can this Blue Jays player keep hitting at the same pace of Yankees star Aaron Judge?

It sure feels good for Toronto to have a player putting up superstar numbers in the lineup, even with a catch
Jun 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (22) hits a double against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Jun 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (22) hits a double against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

To be put in the same sentence with Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees can be quite the accomplishment. After all, the Yankees superstar at this moment is flirting with hitting .400 for much of the 2025 season while at the same time, putting up eye-popping offensive numbers at a pace that we haven’t seen for decades. But for one Toronto Blue Jays player, he currently just so happens to be hitting just like Judge. That player is none other than Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement, believe it or not.

Clement may have struggled immensely to start his 2025 campaign, but he has turned his season around in recent weeks. This hot streak has suddenly put him in the same territory with the Yankees star, even if there is one caveat to it; Clement is indeed putting up Judge-like numbers, but strictly against left-handed pitching. 

Can this Blue Jays player keep hitting at the pace of Yankees star Aaron Judge?

On the year, the Blue Jays infielder has compiled a stellar .412 average, 1.189 OPS, along with 12 runs scored, 10 doubles, four home runs and 10 RBIs, together with a one-to-one walk-to-strikeout ratio in 76 total plate appearances against southpaws to date. Just for comparison, if converted into the total number of plate appearances Judge has made so far in 2025, which would be 311, then Clement would have 49 runs scored, 41 doubles, 16 home runs and 41 RBIs worth of production. Those numbers would put the 29-year-old comfortably among the elite in the league. 

However, Clement has struggled mightily against right-handed pitching. In 57 total games, he has amassed a .238 average, .537 OPS, with just 17 runs scored, five doubles, zero home runs and eight RBIs. Therefore, his overall numbers would average to a more modest .292 average, .742 OPS, along with 29 runs scored, 15 doubles, four home runs, 18 RBIs, with 11 walks and 26 strikeouts.

In order to keep up his pace with Judge, let’s just say Clement would need to face only left-handers from here on out. As a result, it would be ideal if the Blue Jays can find someone that could mash righties to platoon with Clement. Whether that player could be Addison Barger or perhaps another internal or external candidates, like Josh Naylor, it will be up to Jays management to figure it out.

At the same time, assuming Clement can keep up that level of production over the course of the season will be a tough ask. Nevertheless, as of this moment, the Blue Jays should be enlightened whenever the opposing team sends a lefty to take the mound from here on out. That is because with Clement in the lineup in those situations, it would feel like “Aaron Judge” is hitting in the lineup for Toronto each time.