Maryland prop Alex Balladares played in Major League Rugby during the 2023 season. He represented Old Glory DC for his entire MLR career.

A native of Silver Spring, MD, Alex Balladares attended Queen’s University of Charlotte where he played rugby during his studies. Upon graduation, he declared for the 2022 MLR Collegiate Draft and took part in The Rugby Showcase combine. This paid off as he was selected in the 2nd Round, 26th Overall by Old Glory DC.

Balladares spent the Fall of 2022 with the Old Glory DC academy side and White Plains RFC in the ARP, earning an MLR contract with the Flags for their 2023 MLR campaign. He suited up for Old Glory DC in the MLR Pre-season against Rugby New York and the Toronto Arrows, and trained with the team for the entire year, but did not appear at MLR level during the regular season.

Following the 2023 MLR season, it seems that Balladares stepped away from rugby for a while, and NARDB is unsure if this is due to injury or another factor. He next pops up playing D1 rugby with Maryland’s Rocky Gorge Rugby Club in the fall of 2024, before joining the Old Glory DC academy side and splitting his playing time between there and Rocky Gorge in early 2025.

achievements

• 2022 MLR Draftee – 2nd Round (26th Overall) – Old Glory DC

NARDB Player #1,629