The Detroit Tigers have made it official.
Young phenom Kevin McGonigle, one of the top prospects in all of Major League Baseball, has made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster.
Detroit drafted McGonigle with the 37th-overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, a move made possible when the team drafted Max Clark to a below-slot deal after making him the third-overall pick that same draft class. While McGonigle has dealt with injuries since being drafted (a fractured right hamate bone in 2024 and a right-ankle sprain early last season) the infielder has done nothing but rake since the Tigers selected him.
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Last year at High-A West Michigan he posted a slash line of .372/.462/.648, and the numbers dipped a bit when he moved to Double-A, he still belted 12 home runs in 46 games.
He also played in the Arizona Fall League, earning MVP honors thanks to slashing .362/.500/.710 with five home runs over just 19 games.
During Spring Training this year, he slashed .250/.423/.500 over 19 games and 52 plate appearances, with a pair of home runs and six runs batted in.
Moments like this from Monday night — a 108-mph rocket off the bat — have Tigers fans excited about his future:
Where he fits in Detroit was once an open question, manager A.J. Hinch has noted that a better pre-pitch routine has led to improved defensive play at shortstop.
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“”He’s been very, very good on defense,” stated the Tigers manager.
Now that he is on the roster, he might just be Detroit’s starting shortstop come Opening Day.
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