Cardinals' Standout Slugger, MLB RBI Leader: 'I Want to be Perfect'

Throughout the 2026 season, Alec Burleson has been the key cog in driving the St. Louis Cardinals offense while also morphing into one of MLB’s most productive and clutch hitters. He came out of Sunday’s series win over the White Sox first in MLB in RBI, tied for first in doubles and far ahead of the pack in most offensive categories in raw production with runners in scoring position.

Somewhat ironically, pitcher and teammate Michael McGreevy noted, those aren’t even the ways that the 27-year-old Burleson has impacted the young and feisty Cardinals this season.   

"The way (Burleson) goes about his business is something I hope every guy in this clubhouse looks at and kind of emulates, because day in and day out, he's making sure his body is in the right spot, his mind is strong and his routine is (set) so he can have success,” gushed McGreevy, raving about the trickle-down effect that Burleson’s strong examples and leadership skills have benefited the Cards. "If he's not talked about enough, then we have the most underrated player in baseball. If he is, then we have a great player on our team, and it's great to have, as well."

Even after authoring the best season of his career in 2025 – one that resulted in him winning a National League Silver Slugger award – Burleson has taken his game to even greater heights in 2026. His strong closing kick could propel him to a second straight Silver Slugger award – this time at the offensively elite position of first base – and he might even earn some Most Valuable Player votes for teaming with teammate Jordan Walker to keep the Cardinals relevant even in a season based on building with MLB’s greenest roster.

“His personality is never going to be one to settle and he’s always looking for ways to get better in every area,” Cardinals’ manager Oliver Marmol said. “I know we talk about him quite a bit offensively because he has the numbers and the RBI, but he’s doing the same thing on the other side of the ball (defensively). When you look at his defense, his footwork around the bag, his overall play and being able to pick (low throws), it’s been impressive. You have a well-rounded player, that’s for sure.”

Burleson showed off another example of how well-rounded he is on Sunday by not blinking even when the White Sox opted for left-hander Chris Murphy in the sixth inning with the bases loaded. Determined to become better against left-handed pitching, Burleson worked even harder at studying their pitch arsenals and learning exactly how those southpaws like to attack left-handed hitters like himself.

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It certainly helped him on Sunday when he hit a 2-2 four-seam fastball located inside and just off the plate into right field to plate three runs. The knock was his 36th double (tied for first in MLB) and it pushed him into the MLB lead in RBI (109). Also, it enhanced Burleson’s work this season with the bases loaded (8 for 15, 20 RBI) and with runners in scoring position. Burleson leads all baseball in hits (60), doubles (15) and RBI (84) in spots where runners are in scoring position.

“For me, it’s a big emphasis of understanding that the pitcher got himself in that situation and the pressure is on him,” Burleson said with a wry smile. “So, it’s just about taking that pressure off yourself and realizing that the guy on the mound is probably more nervous than you are. The situation (on Sunday) with bases loaded and two outs, he had to throw me strikes and I wanted to take advantage of that.”

Burleson set career highs in batting average (.290), OPS (.802) and doubles (26) in 2025, but he felt he had plenty more to offer a young Cardinals team that would be leaning on him more after trading away veterans Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan in the offseason.

The goals Burleson set for himself were theoretically unattainable, but he still wanted to set higher expectations than ever for his 2026 season.

“It’s kind of funny that I was talking to (infielder Thomas Saggese) in passing – and I had never really thought about it this way, but I said, ‘I want to be perfect!’” Burleson recalled. “He said, ‘Well, we’re never going to be perfect,’ and I was like, ‘Well, that’s the point!’ If we strive to be perfect, there’s always something left to strive for.

“Obviously, I’m a realist and I understand that I’m never going to be perfect. But if I’m pushing myself for that, I’m never going to settle, get relaxed or content with where I am. Sometimes (striving for perfection) is not good for me, it keeps me motivated and keeps me wanting to be better.”