Alec Burleson's Silver Slugger case for Cardinals rests on the depreciating value of RBIs

Alec Burleson broke out in a big way for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2026, finishing the year with a .279/.343/.473 slash line. His 26 home runs and 125 wRC+ marked career highs, though neither was quite as impressive as his league-leading RBI total of 116 (making him the first Cardinal in 55 years to win that crown). Surely, one would think, that kind of performance deserves some love during awards season.

Keen observers will be quick to remind me that Burleson did win a Silver Slugger last year, though he did so as a "utility player" in the National League, courtesy of the ample time he spent in the outfield corners along with his regular work at first base. This year, however, he was stapled to the infield dirt, playing 156 games at the cold corner and not a single one on the outfield grass.

That means his competition is going to be steeper, since first base is such an offense-heavy position. Still, with a second-half surge fresh in the mind of voters, is his case better than we realize?

Alec Burleson saved his best for last, but a crowded first base field might keep him from Silver Slugger glory

Following the All-Star break, Burly posted a 130 wRC+ and .833 OPS. He also paced all National League first basemen in runs scored (40) and RBIs (49), which should only serve to strengthen his lingering status as the biggest run producer in the Redbirds' lineup.

By those merits, he should at least be in the conversation. But the Silver Slugger picture at the position is crowded; among NL first basemen, Burleson finished the year ranked sixth in OPS, tied for fifth in homers, and fourth in wRC+. Maybe that's enough to earn him a look as a finalist, but players such as Matt Olson (41 homers), Rafael Devers (.525 slugging percentage), or even Jake Bauers (143 wRC+) have arguably stronger cases thanks to their standout performances in individual stats.

Which, basically, boils Burly's case down to the value of RBIs. It's a stat that has become de-valued outside of triple crown chases in recent years, much in the same way pitcher wins have due to their situational nature. There's something to be said for producing with runners on base as opposed to accruing "empty" hits, but it doesn't help that Burleson was far worse in high-leverage (e.g., clutch) situations this year compared to context-neutral environments. If you're going to stake a claim based on runs batted in, you better make sure those runs count for something.

In other words, a second straight Silver Slugger award probably isn't in his immediate future. But Burleson proved more than capable of hanging with the big boys at one of the most loaded positions in the league, which bears well for the Cardinals' offense as a whole moving forward.

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