Has Alec Burleson’s hitting in the 2024 season cemented him as one of the MLB’s best under 26?
During the St. Louis Cardinals final game before the All Star Break, he took a high, floating changeup from Jameson Taillon and sent it just over the right field wall, trotting the bases for his 17th home run of the season and tying Nolan Gorman for the team lead in that category. Although the Cardinals would go on to lose that game to the Cubs 8-3, Burleson ensured that Cardinals fans got a final reminder of his importance to the team’s offense and the impressiveness of his 2024 campaign.
⚾Alec Burleson, @alecburleson9! HR (17)
7/14/24 @ STL, ⬇️ 6th
vs RHP Jameson Taillon99.1 MPH / 24° / 374 ft to RF
Off a 84.3 MPH changeup▶️It’s a home run in 24/30 parks.◀️
📺: https://t.co/yS68wHpb2V pic.twitter.com/5NiWKOJ9mJ
— Home Run Report (@homerunreport) July 14, 2024
How Well Has Burleson hit?
On the verge of being left off the roster during Spring Training, an injury to Lars Nootbaar and the delayed return of Tommy Edman freed up a spot for the 25-year-old in the markedly thinner Cardinals outfield. Since that time, he has led the team in AVG (.288), RBI (53), and Total Bases (156), positioning himself at the forefront of the team’s offense. Couple these stats with his 17 home runs, many of which showcase his stellar barrel range and hand speed, and Burleson’s recent relocation to the second spot in the batting order seems like the obvious choice.
He easily catches heaters up and above the zone, pulling them for deep blasts, and, on multiple occasions, he has dug almost into the dirt to barrel a ball and send it the same way. His blast against Marsh was not pretty nor a particularly dazzling display of power. Still, it is a prime example of what has made Burleson so important to this Cardinals team: his ability to hit patiently and effectively, striking out at an incredibly low rate and taking advantage of what he is given at the plate.
With the recent power resurgence of Nolan Arenado and the return of clutch-hitter Willson Contreras, Burleson’s power has become slightly less vital in keeping the team afloat in the Wildcard race. Nevertheless, Burleson’s emergence as one of the bona-fide young sluggers in a season stocked with 26-and-under talent is a boon that the Cardinals have needed desperately, and the role he’s filled at the top of the lineup has compensated for Paul Goldschmidt’s struggles at the plate through May and June.
Where Does Burleson Rank In His Age Group?
His .288 AVG on the season places him in the top 30 in the majors. He is one of only 8 players under the age of 26 on this list, putting him in the company of rookie standout Masyn Winn as well as other dynamic young players such as Adley Rutschman and Bobby Witt Jr. While his pure stats leave a solid gap between him and stars such as Rutschman, among the same age-range he has the lowest K% on the season (13.5) as well as the fifth best rate of squared-up balls per contact (38.3). While he’s struggled hitting against the four-seam this season, he’s produced the third-highest run value against the changeup. He has a .458 average against off-speed pitches in general, a grouping that has brought particular struggles to the Cardinals this year.
But, regardless of the numbers, daily viewing of the Cardinals clearly reveals Burleson’s value to the team, and as he has heated through June, his value to the team has become more evident than ever. He always seems aware of his moment and has shown an important ability to stay composed at the plate. Although he profiles as a power hitter, he frequently pokes singles to all parts of the field due to his plate discipline and adaptable swing.
Burleson’s hitting has spawned his emergence as a Bonafide slugger and has been a welcome addition to this Cardinals’ team. Pending the full results of his 2024 campaign, he may well deserve to enter the discussion of the best young hitters in baseball.
Main Photo Credits: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports
