Why this Blue Jay is a key part of the team's core

The Toronto Blue Jays' versatile core has been making noise early, and Ernie Clement proved how valuable his bat was coming off the bench in Friday's 8-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Clement illustrated solid contact skills with a big two-run double off the bench that provided the Blue Jays with some insurnace.

He hit a double with two base runners on with two outs. The pitch that Clement hit was off a slider that was way out of the strike zone, which he was able to get to thanks to his unrivaled contact skills.

Ernie Clement is a key part of the Blue Jays' core

Along with being Gold Glove candidate at third base last season, the 29-year-old Clement can play multiple positions, which can help manager John Schneider when it comes to filling out and adjusting his lineup.

Clement also has some value on the base paths, as he posses decent speed (78th percentile in sprint speed) and puts up a competitive at-bat at the plate. Both of those skills allow for him to excel in the starting lineup or as an option off the bench.

Clement also possesses good plate discipline as a part of his approach. Last season, he recorded an impressive 9.1% strikeout rate and makes good contact. While he finished last season with an OPS+ under 100, his approach is perfect for the bottom of Toronto's lineup and helps give the lineup some length.

He'll likely get a majority of the reps at third base, but his versatility could help him move around the infield, as well as being a dangerous piece off the bench. Clement's presence on the bench helps Schneider mix and match when pinch-hitting, as he could move Clement around to adapt to any pinch-hitting puzzle.

Clement isn't a superstar, but he's the type of player that every contending team needs, and the Blue Jays are lucky to have him.