JUPITER, Fla. — Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan are roommates here in spring training who shared exact paths through the Cardinals’ organization in 2021.
Donovan, a lefthanded-batting infielder-outfielder from South Alabama, played 25 games at High-A Peoria, where he hit .295. Then he moved up to Class AA Springfield, where he batted .319 in 50 games. From there, it was on to Class AAA Memphis, where Donovan hit .288 in 13 games.
Burleson, a lefthanded-hitting outfielder-first baseman from East Carolina, made the same three stops but, remarkably so, all in his first full pro season. He hit four homers in 11 games at Peoria; 14 more at Springfield, where he batted .