Alec Burleson Bio
Alec Michael Burleson is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on November 25, 1998, in Denver, North Carolina, Burleson developed his skills at East Lincoln High School before advancing to East Carolina University. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, and he made his MLB debut in September 2022. Burleson quickly became a consistent presence in the Cardinals lineup, demonstrating his versatility across multiple defensive positions. In 2025, he earned his first Silver Slugger Award as a utility player, solidifying his status as one of the Cardinals’ most reliable hitters.
Early Life and Background
Alec Michael Burleson grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he attended East Lincoln High School. During his junior year in 2016, he established himself as a dual-threat player, hitting .390 with six home runs while also pitching to an impressive 0.83 ERA on the mound. His senior season in 2017 proved to be his most decorated at the high school level, as he batted .429 with three home runs, nine doubles, and 23 RBIs. His outstanding performance earned him the Southern District 7 2A Offensive Player of the Year honor. Despite his strong numbers, Burleson went undrafted in the 2017 MLB Draft, leading him to pursue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following high school, Burleson enrolled at East Carolina University, where he became a standout two-way player for the Pirates. As a freshman in 2018, he demonstrated his versatility by batting .252 with 18 RBIs over 36 games while also contributing as a pitcher with a 5-2 record, 3.33 ERA, and four saves. His impressive freshman campaign earned him the American Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Year award. That summer, he continued his development by playing in the Cal Ripien Collegiate Baseball League for the Bethesda Big Train. His sophomore season in 2019 saw him elevate his game significantly, as he hit .370 with nine home runs and 61 RBIs while posting a 6-2 pitching record with a 3.28 ERA. These accomplishments earned him AAC First Team honors as an outfielder and Second Team recognition as a utility player. Over the summer, he represented the United States Baseball Collegiate National Team and made an appearance in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Bourne Braves. His junior season in 2020 was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he had already posted a .375 batting average with three home runs and 12 RBIs over 17 games before the season ended prematurely.
Alec Burleson Career
Minor Leagues (2020-2022)
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Burleson in the second round (70th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft, signing him for a bonus of $700,000. The minor league season was canceled due to the pandemic, so he did not appear in any professional games that year. He began the 2021 season with the Peoria Chiefs in High-A Central and quickly earned promotions to the Springfield Cardinals of Double-A Central and then to the Memphis Redbirds of Triple-A East in early August. Across three levels, he combined to hit .270 with a .329 on-base percentage and .454 slugging percentage, adding 22 home runs and 76 RBIs over 119 games. He returned to Memphis to start the 2022 season and dominated Triple-A pitching, slashing .331/.372/.532 with 20 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 25 doubles over 109 games. His outstanding performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues in September 2022.
St. Louis Cardinals Breakthrough (2022-2024)
On September 6, 2022, the Cardinals selected Burleson’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut on September 8 as the starting right fielder, going hitless over four at-bats with a walk against the Washington Nationals. He collected his first MLB hit on September 11, a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-3 Cardinals victory. His first career home run came on September 23 at Dodger Stadium, as he connected off Hanser Alberto of the Los Angeles Dodgers in an 11-0 St. Louis win. In his brief rookie appearance spanning 16 games and 48 at-bats, he hit .188 with one home run, three RBIs, and one double. The 2023 season saw Burleson become a regular in the Cardinals lineup, as he appeared in 107 games while batting .244 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs. He demonstrated positional versatility, spending time in left field, right field, first base, and as the designated hitter. A broken thumb in September ended his season early and required surgery. The 2024 campaign marked his emergence as an everyday player, as he appeared in 152 games and led the Cardinals with 78 RBIs while slashing .269/.314/.420 with 21 home runs.
St. Louis Cardinals Era (2025-Present)
The 2025 season represented Burleson’s most accomplished year professionally. He played in 139 games, showcasing his consistent hitting ability with a .290 batting average, 18 home runs, and 69 RBIs. His excellence at the plate across multiple positions earned him his first Silver Slugger Award as a utility player. Through mid-season 2026, he has accumulated career totals of 61 home runs and 271 RBIs while maintaining a .271 batting average, demonstrating his sustained contributions to the Cardinals’ lineup.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burleson has established himself as a reliable contact hitter with consistent power production. His ability to play multiple positions, including first base, left field, right field, and designated hitter, provides the Cardinals with valuable roster flexibility. He has shown the capacity to hit for average and power from both sides of the plate, and his approach at the plate has resulted in steady run production. His defensive versatility allows managers to get his bat in the lineup daily while maintaining defensive balance.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most significant career milestone came in 2025 when he received the Silver Slugger Award, recognizing him as the top utility player in the National League. He led the Cardinals in RBIs during the 2024 season with 78, establishing himself as a run-production threat in the middle of the lineup. His first MLB home run at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers represented an early career highlight, showcasing his ability to perform in major ballparks against quality competition.
Alec Burleson Career Wins
Across his professional career spanning from the minor leagues through MLB, Burleson has demonstrated consistent offensive production at every level. His ability to hit for average combined with his power stroke has translated well to the major league level, where he has accumulated over 270 RBIs through mid-2026. His minor league career included impressive stints at Triple-A Memphis, where he posted exceptional numbers before earning his promotion to St. Louis.
Major League Highlights
Through the 2026 season, Burleson has played in 414 MLB games with the Cardinals, accumulating 61 home runs and 271 RBIs while maintaining a .271 career batting average. His 2024 season stands out as his most complete, as he led the team with 78 RBIs while appearing in 152 games. The 2025 season brought his greatest individual honor when he earned the Silver Slugger Award as the National League’s top utility player. His career-high in home runs came in 2024 with 21, while his best batting average came in 2025 when he hit .290. His consistent production across multiple seasons has made him a valuable asset for the Cardinals’ lineup construction.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to reaching the majors, Burleson excelled in the minor leagues, particularly during his 2022 season at Triple-A Memphis where he posted a .331 batting average with 20 home runs and 87 RBIs over 109 games. His collegiate career at East Carolina included an American Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Year award in 2018 and multiple All-Conference honors. His amateur career also included participation with USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, representing his country at the highest amateur level.
Alec Burleson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Burleson was born and raised in Denver, North Carolina, where he attended East Lincoln High School and began developing his baseball skills. His path to professional baseball reflects his dedication through both high school and collegiate competition in North Carolina before being selected by the Cardinals in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Personal Life
Burleson married his wife, Mary, in November 2023. The couple resides near Greenville, North Carolina, where they maintain their home base during the offseason. Their family expanded in 2025 with the birth of their first child, a son, as shared by Burleson in public announcements.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Burleson as he established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the Cardinals’ lineup. He appeared in 139 games, demonstrating his durability and reliability as an everyday player. His offensive production remained steady throughout the season, as he hit .290 with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs. His ability to play multiple defensive positions while maintaining his offensive output earned him recognition throughout the league. The Silver Slugger Award he received at season’s end validated his status as the premier utility player in the National League. His partnership with the Cardinals’ coaching staff continued to develop, and his presence in the middle of the lineup provided stability for a team looking to return to postseason contention. The momentum from his 2025 campaign has carried into 2026, where he has continued to be a key contributor for St. Louis.