Burleson ready to prove his worth again for Cardinals

by | Feb 17, 2025

Alec Burleson finds himself in a similar spot going into Spring Training that he experienced this time last year.

At the start of the 2024 season, he wasn’t sure where he factored into the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup. He was slotted into the lineup after injuries and performed. He finished the season second in homers (21) the leader in RBIs (78) and the highest slugging percentage (.420) on the squad.

This season is looking that way again as the Cardinals go into spring training. Finding a spot on the field or playing designated hitter and in the lineup could be tough with the changes made and the uncertain future of Nolan Arenado.

“I believe I can, but I don’t have any kinds of numbers to put on it,” he told MLB.com’s John Denton. “I definitely want to improve on last year. I was happy with that being my first full season, but now that I know what success feels like, I want to build upon it.”

Click here to read and see more.

Check out Pirate Radio

Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube

Top Headlines

ECU’s Frost named AAC Pitcher of the Week in softball

By ECUPirates.com IRVING, Texas – East Carolina freshman pitcher Kendall Frost has been named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week according to an announcement from the league office on Monday afternoon. Frost becomes the first Pirate freshman pitcher...

Jeff Hoffman at Spring Training, ‘Excited to get going this year’

Monday was a big day for new Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher and ECU alum Jeff Hoffman. He reported to Spring Training in Dunedin, Fla., and the cameras were front and center with him. “Just got done getting my work in on the field,” Hoffman said in a video posted to...

PRL Monday: We break down ECU baseball, basketball and more

It was a busy weekend of sports, so there's a lot to talk about on "Pirate Radio Live" on Monday. We had ECU baseball starting the season against George Mason. The ECU men's and women's basketball teams picked up wins and the softball team played in the Pirate...

The Brian Bailey Show: ECU Hall of Famer Gary Overton

Monday's edition of "The Brian Bailey Show" features one certain-to-be-hall-of-famer interviewing another who is an ECU Hall of Famer. Brian Bailey will have former ECU baseball coach Dr. Gary Overton on his show, which airs at noon on 92.7 FM, 104.1 FM and on our...

Zay Jones could factor into Arizona’s 2025 plans

The 2024 NFL season didn’t go quite as ECU alum and Arizona Cardinals receiver Zay Jones had hoped. On Aug. 23, 2024, he was suspended for five games without pay for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The suspension stemmed from his arrest in a domestic...

Strong finish nets Harold Varner III tie for 7th at LIV Golf event

On Sunday, ECU alum Harold Varner III had his best outing in the final round of the LIV Golf Adelaide in Australia. Varner shot a 3-under-par to finish at 6-under-par. The finish allowed him to end in a five-way tie for seventh place. He picked up $470,500 with his...

ECU earns softball split to close out Pirate Clash

By ECUPirates.com The East Carolina softball team earned a split on its final day of the Pirate Clash, beating No. 22 Boston 4-1 before falling to UMBC 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium. Game One: East Carolina 4, No. 22 Boston 1 Kendall...

Draft Kings has Connor Norby among top 3B in fantasy rankings

Opening Day for Major League Baseball is six weeks away. Spring Training has already begun for many teams. Fantasy sports, however, is year-round. Draft Kings has been taking a look at every position in the American League and National League heading into Spring...

Felton’s second-half explosion helps fuel Pirates past Charlotte

By ECUPirates.com CHARLOTTE, N.C. – RJ Felton scored a game-high 23 points on 7-of-9 shooting from behind the arc as East Carolina rallied in the second half to defeat in-state rival Charlotte, 75-59, on Saturday afternoon at Halton Arena. Buccaneer Scoreboard - ECU...