Two unexpected hitters leading charge during Cardinals' recent hot streak

two unexpected hitters leading charge during cardinals' recent hot streak

St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Alec Burleson.

After a bleak start to their season, the St. Louis Cardinals have started to string wins together and are slowly climbing back in the National League Central race.

Fresh off a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, the Cardinals have an 8-2 record over the last 10 games and currently sit five games back of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.

During their surge, these two rising stars have sparked the offense.

Alec Burleson, outfielder

2024 stats: .298/.328/.458, five home runs and 17 RBI in 42 games

Like most of the Cardinals' offense, Burleson got off to a slow start while fighting for playing time early on in 2024.

After injuries and roster moves, the 25-year-old earned a consistent role in the lineup and is producing. Over his last 15 games, the left-handed slugger is slashing .377/.389/.623 with three home runs, seven RBI and two stolen bases.

Making his MLB debut in 2022, Burleson has struggled to find the power stroke he showed in the minors. After hitting only nine home runs in 123 career games entering the 2024 season, he is three home runs away from his career-high of eight and should easily surpass it during what is adding up to be a career year.

With first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado struggling at the plate, his added thump to the lineup has been much-needed.

He looks like he will be a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup for years to come.

Masyn Winn, shortstop

2024 stats: .295/.348/.432, two home runs, 14 RBI and seven stolen bases in 44 games played.

One of the Cardinals' top prospects entering the season, the 22-year-old struggled during his first taste of the majors in 2023, slashing .172/.230/.238 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 37 games.

After an offseason of adjustments, the young shortstop is starting to look like the future face of the Cardinals franchise, not only with his spectacular defense but with his bat as well.

Over his last 15 games, he is slashing .321/.339/.528 with two home runs, seven RBI and two stolen bases.

Known for his glove and rocket arm, Winn had a breakout season in the minors last year with 18 home runs and 61 RBI in his first season in Triple-A which earned him his major league debut.

After a slow start this season, the game is finally slowing down for him and he is starting to fulfill his potential in St. Louis.

Want more articles like this? Follow Yardbarker on MSN to see more of our exclusive MLB content.

More must-reads:

    Trending slideshow: Who is the last player from every MLB franchise to win an MVP Award? (Provided by Yardbarker)

    OTHER NEWS

    22 minutes ago

    Dutton edges out Albo as preferred PM

    22 minutes ago

    Emma Raducanu snubs Olympic wildcard as Andy Murray learns Paris 2024 fate

    22 minutes ago

    Albania fans snapping spaghetti at Italy supporters is already the best thing from the Euros

    22 minutes ago

    DUP founding Wallace Thompson says nationalists need to reach out to unionists over unity

    22 minutes ago

    Bulls to host Glasgow Warriors in UFC final: Here’s when

    22 minutes ago

    Legendary coach highlights one aspect that will ‘pay huge dividends’ for Jannik Sinner on grass

    22 minutes ago

    Nasreddine Nabi confirms he’s held talks with Kaizer Chiefs, but has other offers as well — report

    22 minutes ago

    Finder survey shows nearly 50 per cent of Aussies are reluctant to travel abroad

    22 minutes ago

    Today in Politics: Amit Shah to chair high-level huddle on J-K security, Amarnath Yatra preps

    22 minutes ago

    Wells Fargo Bet on a Flashy Rent Credit Card. It Is Costing the Bank Dearly.

    22 minutes ago

    Swiss right-wing leader calls Ukraine summit an 'embarrassment'

    26 minutes ago

    Emma Raducanu REJECTS Team GB wildcard for the Paris Olympics as she continues to ease her way back after injury hell... while Andy Murray is set for a fairytale send-off at the Games

    26 minutes ago

    Video: 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook arrives in Germany for Euros after running 352 miles to support England - and predicts Three Lions victory over Serbia

    26 minutes ago

    Former sub-postmaster slams 'buffoonery' of Ed Davey's stunt-laden election campaign as Lib-Dem leader faces questions over lack of help during Horizon scandal when he was a minister

    26 minutes ago

    John Farnham's newly married son Rob shares first photos of his music legend father following cancer surgery that saw 26 doctors reconstruct his jaw

    26 minutes ago

    Anne is praised as 'outstanding horsewoman' after Princess Royal managed to keep control of her horse during Trooping the Colour

    26 minutes ago

    Poland vs Netherlands - Euro 2024: Live score, team news and updates as Virgil Van Dijk aims to captain 1988 winners to victory in opening Group D clash

    26 minutes ago

    Video: Hippy-crack driver, 24, who killed cyclist, 56, as he inhaled laughing gas from a balloon while driving BMW with his knees is jailed - as horrific CCTV shows moment car knocks down nurse

    26 minutes ago

    Gloating masked Serbian thugs pose with 'stolen' England flags ahead of Three Lions clash - amid fears that mob of violent hooligans will spark chaos at the Euros

    26 minutes ago

    Video: 'Is my mother still alive?': Hostage Noa Argamani's first words revealed after she was rescued by Israeli special forces - as dramatic footage shows daring raid on Hamas compound

    26 minutes ago

    Video: Anne is praised as 'outstanding horsewoman' after Princess Royal managed to keep control of her horse during Trooping the Colour

    26 minutes ago

    Euro 2024: Man shot by Hamburg police after axe attack

    26 minutes ago

    German police shoot person armed with axe ahead of Euro 2024 game in Hamburg

    26 minutes ago

    Why has Ed Davey been throwing himself in the water to win the Lib Dems votes?

    26 minutes ago

    Kate shares touching new photo of William with George, Charlotte and Louis to mark Father’s Day

    26 minutes ago

    Grace Kim shoots 66 to take five-shot lead in Meijer LPGA Classic

    26 minutes ago

    NASCAR starting lineup for Iowa Speedway

    26 minutes ago

    Euro 2024: Serbia's superstar coach names the England star his side fear most

    26 minutes ago

    Tottenham scouts in attendance for €30m attacking talent primed to star at Euro 2024

    26 minutes ago

    New signs warning of great white sharks in the works for some East Coast beaches

    26 minutes ago

    Arsenal To Hold Talks With Declan Rice Over Position

    26 minutes ago

    Exclusive poll: Black voters aren't thrilled with Biden but dislike Trump more

    26 minutes ago

    How I dress for five days of Royal Ascot

    26 minutes ago

    Arsenal news: Edu faces transfer delay as Gunners name fee for midfielder star

    26 minutes ago

    Princess Charlotte's touching act during carriage ride to stop rain ruining Trooping parade

    26 minutes ago

    Gareth Southgate sends England stars message that leaves no doubt over Euro 2024 plans

    34 minutes ago

    PepsiCo announces plans to triple size of its electric fleet: 'Good for the planet, good for our business'

    34 minutes ago

    Elon Musk vs BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar on whether EVMs can be hacked

    34 minutes ago

    Euro 2024: Kylian Mbappé and France aim to start with a win over on-form Austria

    34 minutes ago

    I'm a female breadwinner who retired my husband. I was worried I'd resent him, but I'm a better leader and wife because of it.