On this Wednesday, four hitters I like today are Jordan Walker, Kevin McGonigle, Colt Keith, and Shea Langeliers.
Let's dive into my MLB player props picks for the MLB games on Wednesday, April 15.
MLB Player Props
- Jordan Walker Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105, bet365)
- Kevin McGonigle/Colt Keith One Hit Parlay (+100, DraftKings)
- Shea Langeliers Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-148, DraftKings)
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cleveland Guardians Player Props
Jordan Walker Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105)
It was not long ago that Jordan Walker was a first-round pick and consensus top-five prospect in all of baseball. He showed early flashes of why, hitting 16 home runs as a 21-year-old. In his next 162 games over the next two seasons, he hit just 11 home runs and had -2.5 WAR. However, the Cardinals are in need of a new face after moving on from Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado in the last two years, and Walker looks ready to lead their next core.
In April, Walker has slashed .340/.380/.787 with 12 runs batted in. While he only had a single last night, he has homered in seven of his last 10 games, giving him the league lead with eight. Walker has recorded two total bases in eight of his past 10 games.
This afternoon, Walker will face right-hander Slade Cecconi. As you would expect, Cecconi has been tougher on right-handers through his first few starts, but he had reverse splits last season. Right-handed hitters slashed .273/.315/.470 with 15 doubles, a triple, and 11 home runs against him last season.
He has also allowed four earned runs in two of his first three starts. If he struggles again, I like Walker to be one of the Cardinals to get to him.
Pick: Jordan Walker Over 1.5 Total Bases
Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Player Props
Kevin McGonigle/Colt Keith One Hit Parlay (+100)
Last night, the Tigers faced a left-handed starting pitcher for the first time this season, a rarity at 16 games in. That meant McGonigle got his first career start against a left-handed pitcher, and Keith was on the bench. They drew a difficult matchup against Cole Ragans, who tossed shutout innings and allowed just one hit. McGonigle finished 0-for-2 with two walks, but came around to score the game-winning run last night.
Both should be back in the lineup tonight, and they have been the Tigers' two best hitters thus far. McGonigle is hitting .311 with eight extra-base hits and a .911 OPS. He has recorded a hit in nine of 11 starts in April. He should also be feeling pretty good today after signing an eight-year, $150 million contract.
Keith is typically a slow starter, and he has yet to hit a home run, but he leads the team with a .333 batting average. He has recorded a hit in 13 of 14 games this season.
Seth Lugo has been great for the Royals to begin this season, but he had an 8.66 ERA in four starts against the Tigers last season. Left-handed hitters are hitting .279 against him this season. Even with another strong outing, McGonigle and Keith may both still get a hit off him and may do so in the first inning as they did on Sunday.
Pick: Kevin McGonigle/Colt Keith One Hit Parlay
Athletics vs Texas Rangers Player Props
Shea Langeliers Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-148)
Last year, Cal Raleigh was the catcher who became a breakout star, turning consecutive 30-home run seasons into 60 home runs and a second-place AL MVP finish. Shea Langeliers has 29 and 31 home runs in his last two seasons, to go along with 6.8 WAR. While it would be a stretch to expect 60 home runs from Langeliers this year, he does already have five in 64 at-bats this season.
Langeliers is hitting .297 with five home runs, 10 RBI and runs scored and a .910 OPS thus far. He enters play today with a hit in six of his last eight games, and that should continue today. He is 2-for-3 with two singles and two RBI against Kumar Rocker. His last start against the Athletics did not go well as he allowed seven hits and five earned runs in 1 and 2/3 innings.
Additionally, Sutter Health Park is one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the league right now. While Langeliers is not one of the A's who hit better at home, he is off to a great start this season. As a result, he has recorded two hits, runs, and runs batted in in five of his past eight games and in nine of 16 games to begin this season. Against Rocker, I like that trend to continue.
Pick: Shea Langeliers Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In
MLB Player Props for Wednesday, April 15
- Jordan Walker Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105, bet365)
- Kevin McGonigle/Colt Keith One Hit Parlay (+100, DraftKings)
- Shea Langeliers Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + Runs Batted In (-148, DraftKings)
