Kevin McGonigle - Baseball's Top Prospect
Breaking down what makes the Tigers future SS a top prospect in the game.
Kevin McGonigle is the future of Detroit Tigers baseball and the ascension to stardom is happening quickly.
Senior year of high school, McGonigle was named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in 2023 after batting .474 with 4 HRs and 16 RBI in 21 games played. The Detroit Tigers then selected him 37th overall in the 2023 MLB draft. On July 21, 2023, McGonigle signed with Detroit for $2.85M.
2023 - First Half Season of Minor League Ball
Kevin McGonigle, like most high school draftees, was assigned to the Florida Complex League to start his minor league career. He played 9 games there, striking out only 5 times to 11 walks in 45 plate appearances. He would finish his half season in Single A with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. There he played 12 games, hit 1 home run, stole 2 bases and walked 7 times to 5 strikeouts. An impressive start to his minor league career, but not enough of a sample to land him on the Top 30 prospects within the Tigers organization. Regardless, there was intrigue behind the 5’7”, 18 year old shortstop and his mature approach at the plate.
2024 - First Full Season of Minor League Ball
McGonigle started 2024 where he ended the season prior, in Lakeland. Across 60 games, he hit 4 home run, stole 20 bases, scored 40 runs, and had 37 RBI. Most importantly, he was still striking out less than he was walking. A 13% BB rate to a 9% K rate. His slash line was .326/.407/.470 with a 151 wRC+ (51% greater than league average). The power numbers were not there yet, but it was evident that this level of competition was not enough of a challenge for him.
McGonigle spent the rest of the 2024 season at High-A with the West Michigan Whitecaps. In 14 games, he hit 1 home run and stole 2 bases, while striking out 4 times and walking 11. The approach and patience at the plate was his true calling card and something that is valued among the Tigers organization. His season ended early with a hamate fracture, but he was still named the Florida State League MVP after the season. McGonigle rose to the 9th best prospect for the Tigers. The future was bright and scouts, player development, and coaches alike were excited to see him hit the ground running in 2025.
2025 - Second Full Season of Minor League Ball
After a quick 6 rehab games back in Single A-Lakeland, McGonigle was moved back to High A-West Michigan. Here is where he really started to shine and get the attention of the national media with his impressive performances. Across 36 games, he hit 7 home runs, stole 3 bases, scored 37 runs, and had 39 RBI. He slashed .372/.462/.648 with a 213 wRC+ and 1.110 OPS, still striking out less than he was walking. His 213 wRC+ currently leads all Minor League players at any level with at least 100 PA. It looks like the Tigers have found their shortstop of the future and Tigers fans were excited. Another home grown talent developing before their eyes.
McGonigle was deservedly selected to represent the Tigers at the 2025 All-Star Futures Game and on July 7, was promoted to AA-Erie. In 29 games since his promotion, he’s continued to show off his incredible eye at the plate while also increasing his power output. He’s hit 7 home runs to go along with 4 steals, 20 runs, and 27 RBI. Good for a slash line of .275/.372/.578 and a 170 wRC+. His 170 wRC+ at AA is good for 30th best among all Minor League players at any level with at least 100 PA. So he’s listed twice in the top 30, performing at two levels of Minor League baseball in the same season, which is unheard of. Across 71 games played in 2025, he’s hit 14 HRs, has a 189 wRC+ and a 1.020 OPS. McGonigle, according to FanGraphs, is now ranked as the #1 overall prospect in baseball just a few weeks back.
What’s to Come
Tigers fans are calling for a promotion to the big leagues by the end of the season to help with the postseason push and I’m all for it. Give him a taste of baseball on the biggest stage and what it takes to succeed. Let him get to know his future teammates, the coaching staff, even the Detroit Tigers facilities and environment. I’m not saying have him start at shortstop in a postseason game, but he would be a valuable pinch runner late in a game. Make him feel valued and get him some professional level experience. Come the offseason, have him continue to work with the major league guys and prep him for the possibility of coming out of Spring Training on the Opening Day roster for the 2026 Detroit Tigers. Top athletes like this desire the challenge and see if he can rise to the occasion. Worst case, he starts 2026 with Triple A-Toledo. I’m confident with his approach at the plate that he’ll be pounding down the door to get called up to Detroit in no time.
The Detroit Tigers farm system is one of the top in baseball with McGonigle and 3 other players ranked in the top 100 overall. The Tigers are one of baseball’s best this season and with players like McGonigle coming up through the farm system, the organization’s future looks even better. After a decade or so of watching a struggling baseball team, I’m really excited to see where this team is headed with Kevin McGonigle at the forefront.
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this dude is a menace in my OOTP save