| CJ Alexander | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Alexander with theOmaha Storm Chasers in 2023 | |
| Athletics – No. 26 | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born: (1996-07-17)July 17, 1996 (age 28) Merrillville, Indiana, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 24, 2024, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Batting average | .125 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 0 |
| Teams | |
Charles Joseph Wesley Alexander (born July 17, 1996) is an American professionalbaseballthird baseman for theAthletics ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theKansas City Royals, for whom he made his MLB debut with in 2024.
Alexander attendedBishop Verot High School inFort Myers, Florida. He signed aNational Letter of Intent withBall State University to playcollege baseball for theBall State Cardinals.[1] He transferred to theState College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota before committing to transfer to theUniversity of Central Florida.[2]
TheAtlanta Braves drafted Alexander in the 20th round, with the 592nd overall selection, of the2018 Major League Baseball draft.[2] After being drafted, Alexander played for therookie-levelFlorida Complex League Braves andDanville Braves, as well as theHigh-AFlorida Fire Frogs. In 52 total games in theBraves farm system during 2018, Alexander had abatting average of .352 with 69hits, 2home runs, 27runs batted in (RBI) and 4stolen bases.[3] After beginning 2019 with the Fire Frogs, Alexander was promoted to Atlanta'sDouble-A affiliate, theMississippi Braves. After having a promising start to his professional career in 2018, Alexander regressed in 2019, with a dismal batting average of .117 to go along with only 15 hits, 2 home runs, 8 RBI, and 3 stolen bases in 43 total games (19 with the Fire Frogs, 24 with the Mississippi Braves).[3]
Alexander did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[4] Alexander played in 87 games in 2021, all with the Mississippi Braves, and batted .197/.258/.378 with 60 hits, 10 home runs, 31 RBI and 14 stolen bases.[3]
On July 11, 2022, the Braves traded Alexander,Drew Waters, andAndrew Hoffmann to theKansas City Royals in exchange for the 35th overall selection of the2022 MLB draft.[5] Alexander played 114 total games in 2022; 68 with the Mississippi Braves before being traded to Kansas City, and 46 games for the Royals' Double-A affiliate, theNorthwest Arkansas Naturals. Overall, he improved, batting .264/.302/.477 with 120 hits, 25 home runs, 87 RBI and 19 stolen bases. In 2023, Alexander played 92 total games; 6 with the rookie–levelArizona Complex League Royals and 86 with the Triple–AOmaha Storm Chasers. Alexander batted .231/.304/.469 with 70 hits, 17 home runs, 49 RBI and 4 stolen bases.
On June 24, 2024, Alexander was selected to the40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[6] He made his debut that day against theMiami Marlins, going 0–for–3 with onestrikeout.[7] On July 2, in his fourth career game and eighth careerat bat, Alexander recorded his firsthit, asingle toright field, off ofTampa Bay Raysstarting pitcherZack Littell.[8] On July 5, Alexander andCarlos Hernández were optioned back to the Triple–AOmaha Storm Chasers to make room for the promotion ofWalter Pennington and the activation ofAdam Frazier from theinjured list.[9] Alexander batted .125 with one hit and three strikeouts in eight at bats in his first four MLB games (starting three atthird base and pinch-hitting for thedesignated hitter in one) before being optioned back down toTriple-A.[10] On August 31, Alexander wasdesignated for assignment by Kansas City.[11]
On September 4, 2024, Alexander was claimed off waivers by theOakland Athletics.[12]
Alexander's brother,Blaze, also plays professional baseball, currently for theArizona Diamondbacks.[13]