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 emerged from the college ranks at East Carolina University and quickly developed into a dependable run producer in the Cardinals’ lineup. A left-handed hitter with the ability to play multiple positions, he has shown steady growth since reaching the majors. In 2025, his strong bat earned him a Silver Slugger Award as a utility player, marking a defining moment in his early career.
Early Life and Background
Alec Michael Burleson was born on November 25, 1998, in Denver, North Carolina, a small community in Lincoln County. He grew up in a supportive household that encouraged athletic pursuits, and he developed a love for baseball at an early age. As a young athlete, he split his time between hitting and pitching, which helped him build an all-around understanding of the game.
Burleson attended East Lincoln High School in Denver, where he became one of the top two-way players in the area. During his high school years, he performed at a high level on both sides of the ball, drawing attention from college recruiters. His success in the classroom and on the field prepared him for the next step in his baseball journey.
Path to Professional Baseball
After going undrafted in the 2017 MLB Draft, Burleson enrolled at East Carolina University to play college baseball. As a freshman in 2018, he contributed both as a position player and a pitcher, earning the American Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Year. His sophomore season in 2019 was a breakthrough, as he hit .370 with nine home runs and 61 RBIs while also pitching effectively, earning AAC First Team honors as an outfielder. He also gained valuable summer experience with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Burleson’s junior season in 2020 was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but his body of work at East Carolina had already impressed major league scouts. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, with the 70th overall pick, and signed him for $700,000. His path to professional baseball was set, and he began climbing the minor league ladder.
Alec Burleson Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Burleson did not play in 2020 because the minor league season was cancelled due to the pandemic. He began the 2021 season with the Peoria Chiefs of the High-A Central and earned rapid promotions to the Springfield Cardinals of the Double-A Central and the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A East. Across 119 games that year, he posted a combined .270/.329/.454 slash line with 22 home runs and 76 RBIs, signaling his readiness for higher levels.
In 2022, he returned to Memphis and was one of the top hitters in the Cardinals’ system, slashing .331/.372/.532 with 20 home runs and 87 RBIs over 109 games. His performance at Triple-A earned him a late-season call-up to the majors, as the Cardinals looked to evaluate their young corner bat against big-league competition.
St. Louis Cardinals Breakthrough (2022–2023)
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, starting in right field against the Washington Nationals. He collected his first MLB hit on September 11, a single off Duane Underwood Jr. of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and hit his first MLB home run on September 23 off Hanser Alberto of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Over 16 games in his debut season, he hit .188 with one home run and three RBIs.
Burleson spent the entirety of the 2023 season with St. Louis, appearing in 107 games and batting .244 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs. He saw time at left field, right field, first base, and as a designated hitter, showcasing the versatility that would become a hallmark of his career. Unfortunately, a broken thumb in September ended his season early, but the experience helped him refine his approach at the plate.
Everyday Player Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Burleson became an everyday player for the Cardinals, appearing in 152 games and leading the club with 78 RBIs while slashing .269/.314/.420 with 21 home runs. His consistent production established him as a middle-of-the-order presence and a key contributor to the team’s offense. The 2024 season represented his first full year as a regular, and he answered the opportunity with reliable run production.
The 2025 season was a milestone year for Burleson. Playing in 139 games across first base, left field, right field, and designated hitter, he hit .290 with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs. His versatility and strong bat were recognized when he was awarded his first Silver Slugger Award as a utility player, cementing his place as one of the Cardinals’ most valuable position players.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burleson is known for his smooth left-handed swing and his ability to make consistent hard contact, particularly against right-handed pitching. His strength lies in his on-base skills and run-producing capability, as evidenced by his league-leading RBIs in 2024. Defensively, his flexibility to play first base and both corner outfield spots makes him a valuable piece for the Cardinals’ daily lineup construction.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Burleson’s career came in 2025, when he earned his first Silver Slugger Award as a utility player. His first MLB home run off Hanser Alberto at Dodger Stadium in 2022 and his 78-RBI season in 2024 also stand out as signature achievements. Through the 2025 season, he had compiled a .271 career batting average with 61 home runs and 271 RBIs, underscoring his emergence as a steady middle-of-the-order bat.
Alec Burleson Career Wins
While individual game victories are not tracked for position players in the same manner as pitchers, Burleson’s offensive milestones and awards reflect his winning impact on the Cardinals. His first Silver Slugger Award in 2025 and his 78-RBI season in 2024 highlight his consistent run-production ability at the major league level.
Major League Highlights
Burleson’s first MLB hit came on September 11, 2022, off Duane Underwood Jr. of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his first home run followed on September 23, 2022, off Hanser Alberto of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His most recent standout season was 2025, when he hit .290 with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs while earning a Silver Slugger Award. These performances have established him as a dependable contributor in the Cardinals’ lineup.
Alec Burleson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Burleson and his wife, Mary, were married in November 2023 and reside near Greenville, North Carolina. Their first child, a son, was born in 2025, marking a joyful milestone for the young family. Despite his career in St. Louis, Burleson has remained closely tied to his North Carolina roots, spending his offseasons in the region.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a career-defining year for Alec Burleson with the St. Louis Cardinals. He played in 139 games across first base, left field, right field, and designated hitter, batting .290 with 18 home runs and 69 RBIs. His offensive consistency and defensive versatility made him a fixture in the Cardinals’ daily lineup and a key voice in the clubhouse.
Burleson’s standout campaign was capped by his first Silver Slugger Award, recognizing him as the top offensive utility player in his league. The award underscored his value as a flexible contributor who could slot into multiple positions while still producing at the plate. It also signaled his arrival as one of the more well-rounded young players in the National League.
Looking ahead, Burleson enters 2026 as a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ offensive plans, with his multi-position skill set giving the club valuable lineup flexibility. Having already proven his ability to drive in runs at a high level, he is positioned to take on an even larger role within the team’s core. His trajectory points toward continued growth as a leader for the Cardinals.
