Height
6'0"
Weight
225 lbs
Age
27
College
East Carolina
Draft
2020, Rd 2, #70
Experience
4 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/L
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsB
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$3.3M
Guaranteed
$2.0M
AAV
$3.3M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Alec Burleson's one-year, $3.3M deal with the Cardinals earns a solid B CVI, representing shrewd roster management for a team navigating salary constraints while evaluating internal talent. The 26-year-old first baseman has established himself as a solid starter who can contribute 2+ WAR production when healthy, making this salary point an efficient use of resources compared to the inflated free agent market for corner infielders. While Burleson lacks the ceiling of franchise-caliber players at the position, his combination of contact ability and defensive competence provides reliable production during St. Louis's transition period. The short-term commitment aligns perfectly with the Cardinals' philosophy of maintaining roster flexibility while their farm system develops, particularly with several infield prospects projected to reach the majors within the next two seasons. This contract allows St. Louis to field a capable everyday player without blocking future talent or committing long-term dollars to a player who profiles more as organizational depth than a cornerstone piece. For a team trying to remain competitive while rebuilding, securing solid starter production at below-market rates represents exactly the type of value-conscious move that extends competitive windows.
Fan & Media Sentiment
Alec Burleson has captured the hearts of Cardinals Nation with a clutch hitting display that's generating genuine excitement around Busch Stadium. The first baseman's knack for delivering game-winning home runs in pressure moments has created a media narrative centered on his emergence as a reliable middle-of-the-order threat, with beat writers consistently praising his power surge and improved consistency at the plate. What's driving this overwhelmingly positive sentiment is simple: Burleson is coming through when it matters most, turning himself into appointment television for Cardinals fans who've been starved for offensive heroes. However, his A+ media grade sits notably above his B- performance grade, suggesting the narrative may be running slightly ahead of his overall statistical production — those clutch moments are masking some inconsistencies in his broader offensive contributions. For Burleson to maintain this level of public adoration, he'll need to sustain his power numbers while improving his consistency in non-leverage situations, but right now, Cardinals fans couldn't be happier with their emerging slugger who's become synonymous with late-game heroics.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 4/11 | vs BOS | W 3-2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ WAS | W 6-1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Transaction History
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