Hanser Alberto’s journey through professional baseball wasn’t scripted like a Hollywood blockbuster, but in many ways, it’s the kind of story that resonates far more deeply with those who understand just how unforgiving this game can be. This week, at the age of 33, Alberto officially announced his retirement via Instagram, drawing the curtain on a career that spanned parts of eight MLB seasons and embodied the resilience, adaptability, and unshakeable work ethic demanded by the sport’s less celebrated paths.
A Humble Beginning and an Uphill Climb
Alberto, signed as an amateur out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, began his pro career in 2010 with a promising showing in the Dominican Summer League. Yet, his ascent to the majors was not meteoric. Instead, it was a slow, deliberate climb, one of those minor league grinds where each level feels like a mountain, and each opportunity must be earned twice over.
His MLB debut with the Texas Rangers came in 2015, but his early years were marred by inconsistency and injury. A .194/.204/.226 line across his first 76 big league games painted the picture of a utility player struggling to find his place. A missed 2017 season due to a shoulder injury seemed to set him back even further. But baseball has a way of offering second chances to those who refuse to let go, and Alberto wasn’t done.
A Breakout Year in Baltimore
The tide turned in 2019, when the Baltimore Orioles, on their way to a painful 108-loss season, claimed him off waivers. In what would become the peak of his career, Alberto flourished as an everyday second baseman, slashing .305/.329/.422 across 139 games. He posted a career-best 3.4 bWAR, struck out at a remarkably low 9.1% rate, and proved he could thrive given regular playing time. That season didn’t change the Orioles’ fate, but for Alberto, it redefined what was possible.
Though he never quite recaptured that 2019 form, Alberto remained a valuable clubhouse presence and versatile depth option over the next few years, donning the uniforms of the Royals, Dodgers, and White Sox. His glove, energy, and ability to play multiple infield positions kept him in demand even as his offensive output dipped.
From Utility Role to Retirement
Injuries curtailed his final MLB stint with Chicago, and he eventually shifted his focus to winter ball and the Mexican League. In 2025, he played 26 games for the Piratas de Campeche and briefly suited up for Saltillo before wrapping up his final winter season with the Gigantes del Cibao. By the end of it all, Alberto had played in 488 MLB games, recorded 378 hits, hit 22 home runs, and earned a lifetime slash line of .269/.292/.381.
His 4.4 career bWAR doesn’t scream “star,” but numbers alone can’t capture the perseverance and grit that defined his time in the game. Hanser Alberto didn’t just play in the majors; he fought to stay there. And in a league where longevity is earned, not granted, that’s something worth honoring.
