Presley was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 8th round (230th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft.
Presley started his professional career with the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2006.
He played for the Hickory Crawdads in 2007.
Presley spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

Presley was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on September 8, 2010, and made his MLB debut the same day, getting his first major league hit off Atlanta Braves pitcher Cristhian Martínez.

He started the 2011 season with the Pirates' AAA team, the Indianapolis Indians.
Presley was leading the Indians with a .336 batting average with eight home runs and 36 RBI when he was called up to MLB Pittsburgh on June 27, 2011.

His .336 batting average was also the third-best in the International League at the time of his call up.

Presley hit his first home run on June 27, 2010, against Billy Buckner of the Toledo Mud Hens, and also posted the Indians first-ever cycle on the same day.

On April 7, 2012, Presley hit his first walk-off hit—an infield single off of Joe Blanton in the 10th inning, scoring Michael McKenry to give the Pirates a 2-1 win over the Phillies.
Presley went 2-for-5 in the game.

Presley was recalled by the Pirates from Indianapolis on May 31, 2013.
He had a game-winning, walk-off single against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, 2013, giving the Pirates the division lead.
Presley was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 8th round (230th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft. Presley started his professional career with the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2006. He played for the Hickory Crawdads in 2007. Presley spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Lynchburg Hillcats.
Presley was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on September 8, 2010, and made his MLB debut the same day, getting his first major league hit off Atlanta Braves pitcher Cristhian Martínez.
He started the 2011 season with the Pirates' AAA team, the Indianapolis Indians. Presley was leading the Indians with a .336 batting average with eight home runs and 36 RBI when he was called up to MLB Pittsburgh on June 27, 2011.
His .336 batting average was also the third-best in the International League at the time of his call up.
Presley hit his first home run on June 27, 2010, against Billy Buckner of the Toledo Mud Hens, and also posted the Indians first-ever cycle on the same day.
On April 7, 2012, Presley hit his first walk-off hit—an infield single off of Joe Blanton in the 10th inning, scoring Michael McKenry to give the Pirates a 2-1 win over the Phillies. Presley went 2-for-5 in the game.
Presley was recalled by the Pirates from Indianapolis on May 31, 2013. He had a game-winning, walk-off single against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, 2013, giving the Pirates the division lead.
Alex Presley