Kevin McGonigle and the Chamber of Base Hits

At just 21 years old, he bypassed Triple-A entirely to start at third base on Opening Day against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Today’s featured hitter is Kevin McGonigle, who not only delivered a phenomenal Opening Day performance for the Motor City Kitties but did so in his MLB debut. He finished with a stat line of 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI. He didn’t waste any time, ripping a bases-loaded, 89.9 mph, two-run double down the right-field line on the very first big league pitch he ever saw (a 91.2 mph cutter from Nick Pivetta). McGonigle joins the “First Pitch” club, becoming one of the few players in MLB history to record an RBI extra-base hit on the first pitch of their career. He followed that at-bat with another double, lasering Pivetta’s four-seam with a solid 105.9 mph exit velocity!

There were plenty of questions surrounding McGonigle coming into the season. A hot spring training performance with a .923 OPS in 19 games helped put him on the map, but his MLB potential was still very much up in the air. Currently rostered in 73% of Yahoo leagues, that number is sure to rise quickly — and if he’s still available, he should be a priority add. Those who took a chance on McGonigle as a late-round flier or as their starting third baseman have to be thrilled with what they saw on Opening Day.

Let’s take a moment to admire this beautiful slash line: .800 AVG/.800 OBP/1.200 SLG (2.000 OPS). Fun fact: McGonigle joins Billy Bean (1987) as the only Tiger in franchise history to record four hits in their MLB debut on Opening Day. McGonigle is originally listed as a shortstop but slotted in at third base, batting sixth. Alongside Javier Báez at shortstop, Colt Keith at designated hitter, and Gleyber Torres at second base, he seems to fit in nicely at the hot corner for the Tigers. With plentiful reps in line for him in the infield, he’s poised to be a legit fantasy threat moving forward.

Kevin McGonigle (DET): 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI.

 

Let’s see how the other hitters did Thursday:

Brandon Lowe (PIT): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.

Brandon Lowe absolutely punished the baseball today. Lowe recorded three hard hit balls over 100 mph, two being homers off Freddy Peralta’s slider and fastball. Other star second basemen like Ketel Marte and Jazz Chisholm Jr. had max exit velocities of 105.5 mph and 106.2 mph; Lowe topped out at 109.8 mph. Lowe projects to be a great value, based on his average draft position. Despite the Pirates’ 11-7 loss, his performance at the plate is encouraging for fantasy managers. The Pirates showed some promise on offense, and Lowe is slotted in the 2nd spot in the lineup, which guarantees additional plate appearances.

Alec Burleson (STL): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.

Alec Burleson led the St. Louis Cardinals to a thrilling 9-7 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium Thursday. The Cardinals entered the bottom of the 6th inning trailing 7-1 after the Rays exploded for six runs in the top half. After the Cardinals tied it up, Burleson stepped in and drove a two-run home run to right field. It was great to see him show an elite contact skill with zero strikeouts. He posted a .750 AVG/.800 OBP/1.500 SLG (2.300 OPS), which is very encouraging for a Cardinals lineup that had a lackluster 2026 season projection. He’s still 1B/OF eligible in Yahoo leagues, which makes him a versatile asset.

Mike Trout (LAA): 1-2, HR, R, RBI, 3 BB, SB.

Mike Trout kicked off his 2026 campaign in vintage fashion, leading the Angels to a 3-0 victory against the Houston Astros. If he stays completely healthy, Trout could be a great fantasy asset this year. He had a Combo Meal stat line, getting active on the base paths early, and launching a 403-foot solo home run in the 7th inning — a 96 mph fastball from AJ Blubaugh. Trout bats 2nd for the Halos. If he consistently walks and steals bases, he remains a legit outfield asset.

Sal Frelick (MIL): 1-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.

Sal Frelick is a fantasy asset with his speed-and-average combo, and with Brewers teammate Jackson Chourio hopping on the IL last minute, he solidifies some great playing time in the outfield for the next several weeks. He didn’t swipe any bags today, but his two walks are great signs. His solo home run was also an encouraging sign of power, offering hope of at least repeating his 12 home run total from last year. He had six swings at fastballs, barreling one with a 106.7 exit velocity, which was his solo home run. Even if the power doesn’t grow, his .270+ career average and 18-20 stolen base floor make him a safe OF3 or OF4 in most formats. He typically went around ADP 180-200 in your fantasy drafts and may still be available. After the Brewers’ 14-run explosion against the White Sox, fantasy managers can certainly feel confident in the team’s offense.

Carson Benge (NYM): 1-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB.

Carson Benge, the Mets’ top hitting prospect, skipped most of Triple-A to start in right field against the Pirates, and immediately made an impact in the lineup. He’s rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues, and his .600 OBP today is exciting enough to add him to your fantasy squad. Following his home run, he completed the combo meal with a stolen base, and that potential is always exciting. Assuming his rostered status increases after this performance, now would be the time to grab him if you need an extra outfielder. Should he continue to perform, he could find himself near the top of the lineup between Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. His 105.3 mph solo shot off Justin Lawrence and stolen base show 20/20 potential, making him a potential fantasy darling.

Joey Wiemer (WSN): 3-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB.

Joey Wiemer had the perfect stat line on Opening Day in his debut with the Nationals, turning Wrigley Field into his own personal playground with an incredible 1.000 AVG/1.ooo OBP/2.000 SLG (3.000 OPS). Wiemer had zero whiffs, which is a great sign for a high strikeout hitter. This performance followed a dramatic spring training finale where he hit a walk-off home run against the Mets. He was a spark plug for a Nationals lineup that set a franchise record for runs scored on Opening Day. With top prospect Dylan Crews starting the year in Triple-A, Wiemer has a clear runway to everyday at-bats in right field, and he is widely available in all formats. He seemed comfortable in the box against lefty Matthew Boyd and also faces another lefty in Shota Imanaga on Saturday, which could be a favorable matchup.

Jake Burger (TEX): 3-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.

Jake Burger had the performance we were hoping to see, finishing the day with a .750 AVG/.750 OBP/1.500 SLG (2.250 OPS). While the Rangers’ offense struggled to find a rhythm on Opening Day, as per usual, Burger was the spark, recording three hits. The highlight of his day was the two-run homer that accounted for the bulk of the Rangers’ scoring. Burger is coming off a frustrating and injury-plagued 2025 season, but this start to the 2026 campaign is promising. He seems to be in a good situation after being shipped to Texas by the Miami Marlins in 2024. He’s widely rostered, but his day at the plate suggests he could quickly return to being a 30-home run threat at a corner infield position.

Andy Pages (LAD): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.

Andy Pages wasted no time making his mark on the 2026 season, providing the biggest hit in the Dodgers’ 8-2 Opening Day victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pages smoked a go-ahead, three-run home run off Zac Gallen in the 5th inning that traveled 400 feet, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead. His sweet-spot % was in the 88th percentile in 2025, as evidenced by his 104.8 mph homer. Being on the Dodgers significantly inflates Pages’ fantasy floor. His situation is elite, although he’s batting in the bottom third of the order. Superstars Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, and Mookie Betts surround Pages at the top of the lineup. They will certainly drive him in if he keeps getting on base. Most fantasy managers drafted him to be a high-end OF3, and he showed today that he has the potential to finish there as a top-25 if he continues with the solid plate discipline.

Munetaka Murakami (CHW): 1-2, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB.

Munetaka Murakami was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dreadful day for the White Sox; his 384-foot solo home run over the right-field wall off Jake Woodford and a leadoff shot from Chase Meidroth were the only two runs keeping the Brewers from shutting out the White Sox in double-digit fashion. On a day when the Chicago lineup struck out 20 times, tying an MLB record, Murakami was one of only two starters not to strike out, the other being Luisangel Acuña. His first career home run came off the bat at 103 mph. He also ripped a grand slam during the World Baseball Classic earlier this month that registered a blistering 112.1 mph. The White Sox’s offensive struggles are inevitable, but Murakami is locked in at heart of the order. If he continues to walk and hit homers, he could be a stable fantasy option, despite Chicago’s poor outlook. Murakami is 1B/3B-eligible, which gives him plenty of versatility in your fantasy lineup.

Brendan Donovan (SEA): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, RBI.

Brendan Donovan made history today, becoming the first Mariner to hit a leadoff home run on Opening Day. He took Guardians starter Tanner Bibee deep in the bottom of the first, setting the tone early for his Seattle tenure. He followed that up with a double later in the game, staying consistent with the gap-to-gap contact we’ve seen throughout his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. In February 2026, the Cardinals pivoted toward a rebuild and sent Donovan to Seattle in a huge three-team deal. He is now locked in as the Mariners’ everyday leadoff hitter, which gives him a massive fantasy value boost compared to his time and supporting cast with the Redbirds. While Seattle’s T-Mobile Park is traditionally a pitcher-friendly, Donovan’s 87th percentile contact rate completely defies those physics. He is a Swiss Army knife value, with most platforms listing his eligibility at 2B/SS/OF. He started at third base today, meaning that will likely be added to his profile soon.

JJ Wetherholt (STL): 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI.

JJ Wetherhold’s MLB debut lived up to every ounce of anticipation. Alongside teammate Alec Burleson, he was a beacon of light for a St. Louis Cardinals roster with low expectations. Their rebuild is centered around some young talent, including Wetherholt, and it’s exciting to see more power options open up for the middle infield positions. In his second big league at-bat, he crushed a 425-foot solo home run to dead center off Drew Rasmussen. He’s the first Cardinal to homer in his MLB debut since Bobby Smith in 1957, which is a great accomplishment and a strong start to a potentially successful career. He leads off a St. Louis lineup that poses great runs and RBI opportunities with Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson, and Masyn Winn following. Wetherholt is rostered in 83% of Yahoo leagues and was likely drafted onto your fantasy squad at a pretty good value.