The St. Louis Cardinals may have fallen short of expectations in 2025, but a number of players still turned in impressive individual performances that give fans reason for optimism moving forward. Following Gold Glove nominations for two key contributors, two more Cardinals were honored this time for their offensive contributions.
When the Silver Slugger Award finalists were revealed, St. Louis had a strong presence once again, with Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson both landing among the three finalists in the utility category.
Donovan, who earned his first All-Star selection earlier this year, served as a steady catalyst for the Cardinals whenever he was on the field. Despite missing a chunk of the second half due to injuries, he still appeared in 118 games, collecting 132 hits, 10 home runs, and 50 RBIs while batting .287. His trademark versatility and consistent approach at the plate made him one of St. Louis’ most dependable contributors during the summer stretch.
Burleson, on the other hand, put together a breakout campaign, splitting his time between first base and the corner outfield. The 26-year-old tallied 144 hits, 18 homers, and 69 RBIs, batting .290 with career highs in OPS, on-base percentage, slugging, and doubles. His 18 home runs ranked second on the team, trailing only Willson Contreras.
Unfortunately for St. Louis, only one of them will be able to take home the trophy. Donovan and Burleson are set to compete against Jake Cronenworth of the San Diego Padres for the Silver Slugger Award at the utility position — a potential first-time honor for all three players.
Winners of the 2025 Silver Slugger Awards will be announced on November 6.