Ernie Clement, with a current batting average of .263, just earned more All-Star votes than any other player in the American League, securing his spot as the starting second baseman, according to Sports Illustrated. He also leads the AL with 20 doubles. This overwhelming support makes him the top vote-getter across the entire league.
Clement's overwhelming fan support has made him an AL All-Star starter, but his 2024 batting average of .263 marks a notable drop from his stellar .380 performance in 2023.
Based on Clement's fan-driven selection, it appears that specific power metrics and a compelling player narrative are increasingly influencing All-Star voting, potentially at the expense of overall seasonal consistency.
Clement's selection, despite a .263 batting average, marks a decisive shift in fan priorities for the All-Star game. Fan support, making him the top vote-getter, appears increasingly swayed by specific, visible power metrics. Leading the AL in doubles, for example, likely resonated more with voters than overall offensive production. Perceived potential and a few standout statistics now outweigh consistent, elite performance. The traditional emphasis on a high batting average for All-Star starters holds less sway in fan-driven selections.
A Look at the Numbers: Past and Present
Ernie Clement's 2023 season saw him achieve a .380 batting average and a 143 OPS+, according to baseball-reference. This breakout performance established a strong narrative for the player. However, his 2024 batting average stands at .263, a notable decline from the previous year.
Despite this drop in overall average, Clement ranks ninth in maximum exit velocity (109.7 miles per hour) among MLB players with at least 250 at-bats, according to Sports Illustrated. This elite underlying power metric confirms continued offensive potential. It likely contributes to sustained fan enthusiasm, overriding the lower seasonal batting average.
The stark contrast between Clement’s stellar 2023 and his 2024 performance reveals that a compelling breakout narrative can override current statistical declines. This fundamentally alters the definition of an 'All-Star' in the fan era.
The 2026 All-Star Game will feature Ernie Clement as a starting second baseman. This selection appears to solidify a future where fan engagement and specific power statistics increasingly eclipse traditional metrics in defining an All-Star.
