Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 65 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60

The Tigers went for Max Clark third overall in 2023 with an eye on a below-slot bonus (eventually $7.7 million) that would allow them to draft and sign big talents later. They didn’t have to wait much longer, selecting McGonigle 37th overall and signing him to an above-slot deal at $2,847,500. The Pennsylvania native got a taste of Single-A action that summer and returned to the Florida State League to begin 2024. He dominated for Lakeland with a slash line of .326/.407/.470 and a 24/35 K/BB ratio in 60 games before being pushed to High-A West Michigan in late July. McGonigle suffered a fractured right hamate and underwent surgery in mid-August, cutting his first full season short.

Batting from the left side, McGonigle coils himself tightly in the box to turn on pitches. He didn’t whiff on more than 12 percent of his swings against any major pitch types in the FSL, and his 8.5 percent K rate at both levels was sixth-best among 1,081 Minor Leaguers with at least 300 plate appearances in 2024. He won’t expand the zone much either, and pitchers typically paid the price when they came into the zone where McGonigle ran a 93.6 percent contact rate in the FSL. His strong exit velocities backed up the hope that he’ll have at least average power, though the hamate could affect that department.

McGonigle can burst out of the box nicely with above-average speed, and he gives pitchers and catchers something to monitor when on base. Most of his reps came at shortstop in 2024, but many evaluators still believe he’s a better overall fit at second base over the long term. McGonigle’s hit tool placed him on the map in a big way, making him a core piece of a burgeoning Detroit system.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 65 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Most promising young players grow up with a Major Leaguer they idolize and try to emulate, but it’s rarer to see a player turn pro with a profile that closely tracks their hero. McGonigle grew up in Philly watching Chase Utley anchor the middle infield, then grew up into a promising left-handed-hitting middle infielder himself. He turned down a chance to play college ball at Auburn to sign with the Tigers, who drafted him with a supplemental first-round pick and offered an above-slot $2,847,500. He joined Team USA teammate Max Clark in the Tigers' system and played just nine games at the Rookie-level Florida Complex League before moving to Single-A Lakeland, where he looked way more advanced than someone who was playing high school ball a few months earlier.

McGonigle was one of the best pure prep hitters in his Draft class, and it’s easy to see why. He has a smooth, quick left-handed swing, advanced zone judgement and pitch recognition and solid contact skills. He gets more loft than one might expect given his power numbers, but he also produced some hard-hit ground balls in A ball. He’s an opportunistic baserunner who gets more out of his legs than his raw speed might suggest. He played primarily shortstop in his first pro season and was fundamentally sound there, but there’s healthy debate about whether he can stick there long-term or will eventually move to his idol’s position at second.

Considering the state of the position in the Tigers' farm system, McGonigle could be a godsend if he can stay at shortstop, whether he hits for power or not. Even if he moves to second, he has the skill set and offensive potential to hold down the position for a while. He was enjoying a breakout first full season that saw him climb from Lakeland to High-A West Michigan when he suffered a right hamate fracture in early August.

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, McGonigle loved watching Phillies legend Chase Utley do his thing. As a gritty, left-handed-hitting middle infielder, McGonigle got the chance to follow in his idol’s footsteps as an early-round pick, particularly after hitting pretty much everywhere he went on the summer showcase circuit. The Tigers selected him 37th overall and signed him for above slot at $2,847,500.

McGonigle, who also won a gold medal on USA Baseball’s 18-and-under team, might be one of the best pure hitters in his Draft class, at least in terms of bat-to-ball skills. He’s not afraid to be aggressive and attack fastballs early in counts, trusting his innate knack for finding the barrel and his overall approach to not chase pitches out of the zone. If there’s any question about his offensive profile, it’s about his future power, but he showed plenty of extra-base and over-the-fence pop to all fields against excellent competition over the summer.

An average-to-fringy runner, McGonigle’s high baseball IQ and aggressive nature help his baserunning and his defense. His hands work well and he has an average arm, but many see the former Auburn recruit needing to move to second eventually because of his range, just like his baseball role model did. That might put more pressure on his bat, but most evaluators think he’s more than ready to answer that challenge.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, McGonigle loved watching Phillies legend Chase Utley do his thing. As a gritty, left-handed-hitting middle infielder, McGonigle has the chance to follow in his idol’s footsteps as an early-round pick, particularly after hitting pretty much everywhere he went on the summer showcase circuit. 

McGonigle, who also won a gold medal on USA Baseball’s 18u team, might be one of the best pure hitters in the class, at least in terms of bat-to-ball skills. He’s not afraid to be aggressive and attack fastballs early in counts, trusting his innate knack for finding the barrel and his overall approach to not chase pitches out of the zone. If there’s any question about his offensive profile, it’s about his future power, but he showed plenty of extra-base, and over-the-fence, pop to all fields against excellent competition over the summer.

An average to fringy runner, McGonigle’s high baseball IQ and aggressive nature help his baserunning and his defense. His hands work well and he has an average arm, but many see the Auburn recruit needing to move to second eventually because of his range, just like his baseball role model did. That might put more pressure on his bat, but most evaluators think he’s more than ready to answer that challenge.

Awards

MID Player of the Month

Month	Team
06/2025

MID Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/15/2025

Baseball America Low Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2024

FSL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

FSL Most Valuable Player

Year	Team
2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/11/2025	American League Futures activated SS Kevin McGonigle.
	07/11/2025	Erie SeaWolves placed SS Kevin McGonigle on the temporarily inactive list.
	07/07/2025	SS Kevin McGonigle assigned to Erie SeaWolves from West Michigan Whitecaps.
	05/20/2025	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Kevin McGonigle from the 7-day injured list.
	05/10/2025	West Michigan Whitecaps sent SS Kevin McGonigle on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	04/08/2025	West Michigan Whitecaps placed SS Kevin McGonigle on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2025	SS Kevin McGonigle assigned to Detroit Tigers.
	03/06/2025	activated SS Kevin McGonigle.
	09/24/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Kevin McGonigle from the 7-day injured list.
	09/24/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Kevin McGonigle from the 7-day injured list.
	08/11/2024	West Michigan Whitecaps placed SS Kevin McGonigle on the 7-day injured list.
	07/21/2024	SS Kevin McGonigle assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps from Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	04/23/2024	Lakeland Flying Tigers activated SS Kevin McGonigle from the 7-day injured list.
	04/05/2024	Lakeland Flying Tigers placed SS Kevin McGonigle on the 7-day injured list.
	04/05/2024	Lakeland Flying Tigers placed SS Kevin McGonigle on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Detroit Tigers Prospects activated SS Kevin McGonigle.
	08/24/2023	SS Kevin McGonigle assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers from FCL Tigers.
	08/24/2023	Lakeland Flying Tigers activated SS Kevin McGonigle.
	08/03/2023	SS Kevin McGonigle assigned to FCL Tigers.
	07/21/2023	Detroit Tigers signed SS Kevin McGonigle.
	08/24/2022	SS Kevin McGonigle assigned to USA Baseball 18U National Team.
	08/24/2022	USA Baseball 18U National Team activated SS Kevin McGonigle.
	07/01/2022	SS Kevin McGonigle assigned to High School Workout.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated SS Kevin McGonigle.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated SS Kevin McGonigle.