Clement of the Blue Jays Hits Home Run off Pitch with Unusual Height

In the midst of a lost season for the Toronto Blue Jays, fans need to try to find the joy in the success stories. Infielder Ernie Clement has been one of them.

The 28-year-old, who has worked his way up to the major-league roster after signing a minor-league contract with the team in 2023, is becoming an every-day player in Toronto for the first time in his career. On Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels, he proved exactly why.

At the plate for his first at-bat of the evening in the bottom of the second, Clement was down to his final strike when Angels right-hander Mike Baumann threw a high pitch seemingly way out of the zone.

Not a problem for Clement, though, as he managed to send it hard over the left-field wall for a two-run homer — his second in as many games and his 11th of the season.

At 4.6 feet off the ground, that was the highest pitch hit for a home run in Blue Jays history, and third highest in the MLB in the pitch tracking era (since 2008), per Sportsnet Stats.

The Rochester, N.Y. native isn’t the first Blue Jay to find success off an egregiously high pitch — Kevin Pillar famously doubled off a pitch from Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Tillman that rose 4.587 feet above the plate during the 2016 AL Wild Card game.

In a strange twist, Pillar was on the field for Clement’s blast as he now plays centre field for the Angels.

Though Clement may not go down in Blue Jays history the way Pillar will, he’ll always have that extra .13 feet to serve as bragging rights.

In a recent game between the Toronto Blue Jays and their opponents, outfielder Clement made headlines by hitting a home run off a pitch with an unusual height. The pitch, which was delivered by the opposing team’s pitcher, caught many fans and analysts by surprise due to its unique trajectory.

Clement’s ability to connect with such a pitch and send it over the outfield wall is a testament to his skill and adaptability as a hitter. While most batters are accustomed to facing pitches within a certain range of heights, Clement’s ability to adjust to the unexpected pitch shows his versatility and quick thinking at the plate.

The pitch itself was likely a result of the pitcher trying to throw off Clement’s timing and disrupt his rhythm. By changing up the height of the pitch, the pitcher was hoping to catch Clement off guard and induce a weak contact or swing and miss. However, Clement’s keen eye and quick reflexes allowed him to read the pitch and make solid contact, sending the ball soaring into the stands.

This type of feat is not common in baseball, as most pitchers tend to stick to more traditional pitching strategies. However, in a game where innovation and creativity can often lead to success, Clement’s ability to capitalize on an unusual pitch height showcases his talent as a hitter.

Overall, Clement’s home run off a pitch with an unusual height serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of being able to adapt and adjust to different situations on the field. It also highlights the skill and precision required to succeed at the highest level of the sport. As fans continue to marvel at Clement’s impressive feat, it is clear that he is a player to watch in future games.