Alec Burleson's Secret Behind 116 RBI: Thriving in Pressure-Packed Spots

One way in which St. Louis Cardinals’ standout slugger Alec Burleson evolved into MLB’s most productive hitter in 2026 was his ability to come through time and again in the biggest spots of games.

Burleson, 27, led all MLB in RBI with 116, making him the first Cardinals player to do so in 55 years with Joe Torre accomplishing that feat in 1971 while also winning the National League’s Most Valuable Player award.

So, how did Burleson go from 69 RBI in 2025 to 116 in 2026? By thriving in spots with runners in scoring position that usually involve high stress for others. Burleson figured out a way to flip the pressure back on the pitcher, insisting to himself that the hurler was under more stress to throw him strikes than he was to drive in runs.

Burleson not only ranked first in MLB in hits with runners in scoring position, but his 62 were eight more than the next closest hitter (Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell with 54). Also, Burleson – who finished third in MLB in doubles on the season with 37 – led baseball with 15 doubles with runners in scoring position. Burleson had just four homers with runners in scoring position, but teammate Jordan Walker starred in that area and had an MLB-most 13 long balls in that spot.

A Position-by-Position Breakdown of Where Cardinals Hitters Stand in NL

Ultimately, Burleson recorded 86 RBI with runners in scoring position – second only to Cincinnati Reds rookie infielder Sal Stewart (88). Also, Burleson’s eye-popping .358 batting average ranked third behind Tampa Bay Yandy Diaz (.370) and San Diego Padres superstar Fernado Tatis Jr. (.364).

How, you might be wondering, do in even more tense spots, such as with the bases loaded in 2026? Well, his eight hits in those spots tied for the fourth most in baseball, his .533 batting average ranked 9th and his 20 RBI with the sacks packed was tied foe seventh.

“I’m just doing my job,” Burleson said while trying to deflect some of the praise from his career-best year. “Guys ahead of me having been getting on base all year and I’ve just been trying to do my job by driving them in. That’s the way I look at it, and I don’t try to put any more emphasis on it than if there was nobody on with two outs.

“Obviously, the way you win baseball games is by scoring more runs that the other team. So, I take pride in (RBI). In those spots, I try to remind myself that the pressure is on the pitcher and they’re going to have to throw me strikes at some point. I still feel like I left some (RBI) out there on the table, but it’s been a good year for me in terms of RBI.”