Alec Burleson Wiki, Age, Height, Net Worth 2026

Alec Burleson is an American professional baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. In 2026, the left-handed slugger delivered one of the great breakout seasons in recent Cardinals history, leading all of Major League Baseball with 116 runs batted in. He became the first Cardinal to win the MLB RBI crown since Hall of Famer Joe Torre in 1971, and — per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch — the first left-handed-hitting Cardinal to drive in 116 runs in a season since Stan Musial’s 126 back in 1954. Burleson’s leap from 2025 Silver Slugger utility man to the game’s most productive run-driver made him the unquestioned bright spot of the Cardinals’ 2026 campaign.

Early Life and Education

Alec Michael Burleson was born on 25 November 1998 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up in the Lake Norman area and attended East Lincoln High School in Denver, North Carolina, where he developed into a standout two-way player, pitching and hitting for the Mustangs. His high school play drew college attention, and he committed to East Carolina University.

At East Carolina, Burleson became one of the most productive hitters in Pirates history, starring as a two-way player who also pitched. The Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2020 MLB June Amateur Draft — 70th overall — with Baseball Almanac reporting a signing bonus of $700,000. The pick reflected how highly the organization valued his pure hitting ability, a trait that had made him an All-American in college.

Career

Burleson moved quickly through the Cardinals’ minor-league system after signing in 2020, hitting at every stop and reaching the majors for his debut on 8 September 2022 at age 23. He became a regular in 2023, appearing in 107 games, and by 2024 he had posted his first 20-home-run season, establishing himself as a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat without yet having a fixed defensive home — he saw time at first base, in the outfield corners, and at designated hitter.

His breakout at the plate arrived in 2025, when he hit .290 across 139 games with 18 home runs and 69 RBI and an OPS+ of 126, earning the National League Silver Slugger Award as a utility player. Before the 2026 season, the Cardinals shifted him to first base full time following the departure of former starter Willson Contreras, and Burleson navigated the defensive transition smoothly while his bat took another leap.

The 2026 season was a career year in every sense. On 3 August 2026, Burleson authored a signature performance, blasting three home runs and driving in six runs in a 13–7 win over the New York Yankees — just the second multi-homer game of his big-league career, according to Baseball-Reference’s BR Bullpen, and it came right after the trade deadline amid speculation he could be dealt to a contender. He never cooled off. Burleson finished the season hitting .279 with 26 home runs, 89 runs scored, an .816 OPS and 116 RBI — the latter leading all of Major League Baseball, finishing ahead of Pete Alonso’s 113, per season-end reporting. He also joined Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen as the only Cardinals with 116 or more RBI in a season since 2000.

Burleson was the first Cardinal to lead the National League in RBI since Albert Pujols in 2010, and the first to lead the majors since Torre’s MVP season in 1971. The campaign played out against a difficult team backdrop — the Cardinals finished eight games under .500 and 26 games out of first, per The Cardinal Nation — which made his run-production feat stand out even more. He has been openly enthusiastic about signing a long-term extension with St. Louis, and extension talks loom as a major offseason storyline.

Personal Life

Burleson keeps his private life largely out of the public eye. Publicly reported details about his family life and relationships are scarce — the slugger has maintained a low profile off the field even as his on-field star has risen. He bats and throws left-handed, grew up in North Carolina, and has remained connected to his roots, with Lake Norman–area media having followed his rise since his high school days.

His reputation inside the game is that of a diligent, low-maintenance professional. Teammates and coaches have praised his work ethic through each stage of his climb — from an unheralded second-round pick to a Silver Slugger to, finally, the most productive run-driver in baseball.

Alec Burleson Net Worth 2026

Sports outlets estimate Alec Burleson’s net worth in the low single-digit millions of dollars, reflecting his still-early stage of a major-league career. Baseball-Reference lists his 2026 salary at $3.3 million on a one-year deal, and he is arbitration-eligible in 2027 with free agency projected for 2029. His earning trajectory changed dramatically with the 2026 season: a player who entered the year as a solid contributor is now positioned as one of the Cardinals’ core hitters — and a strong candidate for a lucrative multi-year extension. Beyond his playing salary, he draws modest additional income from endorsements, though no major national sponsorship deals have been publicly reported.

FAQ

What is Alec Burleson’s age?

Alec Burleson was born on 25 November 1998, which makes him 27 years old as of October 2026. He turns 28 in November 2026.

What is Alec Burleson’s height?

Alec Burleson is 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall and weighs 212 pounds, according to Baseball-Reference.

How many RBI did Alec Burleson have in 2026?

Burleson drove in 116 runs in 2026, leading all of Major League Baseball. He was the first St. Louis Cardinal to lead the majors in RBI since Joe Torre in 1971.

Which team does Alec Burleson play for?

Burleson plays for the St. Louis Cardinals, who drafted him in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of East Carolina University. He debuted in the majors on 8 September 2022.

Did Alec Burleson win a Silver Slugger?

Yes. Burleson won the National League Silver Slugger Award as a utility player in 2025, hitting .290 with 18 home runs and 69 RBI in 139 games.

What is Alec Burleson’s net worth?

Sports outlets estimate Alec Burleson’s net worth in the low single-digit millions of dollars. Baseball-Reference lists his 2026 salary at $3.3 million, and he becomes arbitration-eligible in 2027.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is another young breakout athlete making headlines in 2026. For more rising sports profiles, see the Alex Eala biography.