Detroit Tigers phenom Kevin McGonigle, ESPN's No. 2 prospect for the 2026 season, will be on the Opening Day roster, it was announced Tuesday.
The 21-year-old McGonigle, an infielder with an above-average bat and real baserunning/defensive value, was the 37th pick in the 2023 draft and has never played above the Double-A level, where he saw action in only 46 games last season.
"It was all about baseball," manager A.J. Hinch told reporters Tuesday. "It was all about winning. We kept returning to the idea that we are trying to win as many games as we can. We are trying to win the World Series. If Kevin McGonigle helps us get there ...
"There's a lot of work to be done. He's still an unfinished product. That development needs to continue at the major league level. We feel the preparations and his routines that he developed during spring were foundational enough to make him part of this."
He has had a solid spring training, hitting .250 with two home runs, six RBIs, 11 walks and two stolen bases in 44 at-bats. He also hit a 461-foot home run off Dominican Republic pitcher Luis Severino in an exhibition prior to the World Baseball Classic. Defensively, he saw action this spring at shortstop (10 games) and third base (7).
"He continued to demonstrate his ability to handle the moment, and he continued to hold his own," Hinch said, "The at-bat quality was as advertised. His defense was really impressive with the details of his first step, his pre-pitch, completing plays.
"He never looked uncomfortable throughout the spring, even though he will tell you there were some nerve-wracking moments. And he should be nervous. He's 21 and has never played with this much attention on him, albeit one of the top prospects in baseball."
The Tigers open the season on the road against the San Diego Padres on Thursday.
