TORONTO – Before we get to some Kevin McGonigle stats for the Detroit Tigers that simply blow my mind − and cement the notion he deserves to win the Rookie of the Year award − it’s important to remember something.
Because every story is filled with moments that can change everything. So, I want to take you back to last fall and tell you about one of those moments for McGonigle.
And it happened in the desert.
When McGonigle was told the Tigers wanted him to play in the 2025 Arizona Fall League, he didn’t know what to think.
“When I got the news I was going to go, I wasn't really sure how I felt about it, to be honest with you, right away,” he said.
McGonigle had missed 1½ months of the 2025 minor league season with a sprained ankle. Then, McGonigle found
out something else: The Tigers wanted him to learn how to play third base.
“I had played zero third base before Arizona,” McGonigle said.
So, he went to Arizona and started playing third.
Welcome to Camp Trammell!
The Tigers gave McGonigle a crash course on the different elements and responsibilities of playing the position, setting him up with individual instruction with Hall of Famer Alan Trammell and Joey Cora, the former infield coach.
“It was cool to have those guys out there and just telling me this is what I've got to do, ‘If you want to earn a spot on the team, you've got to keep doing it and figure out a way,’" McGonigle said.
“And that kind of got me in the right mindset going into that offseason, knowing that I've got to really focus and really try to do whatever it takes to make the team.”
Think about it this way: If McGonigle didn’t learn third base, he might not have made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster.
“He got a ton of reps at a foreign position for him last fall,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “That ultimately helped him make the team this year. I know he came out and swung the bat great [in spring training]. I know we had a ton of comfort in having him be on the Opening Day roster, but had he not gone to the fall league and got those reps, I'm not sure he would have made our team because we needed the ability to play him at third for him to be on this roster. Thankfully, not only did he play there last fall, he played well.”
Just look at the numbers
Turns out, McGonigle loved playing in Arizona.
“It was a great group of guys,” McGonigle said. “We had a ball, and it was some of the most fun I've had playing baseball. Honestly, just being out in Scottsdale, and having Max Anderson and all those other guys there, it was just a great time. Good baseball, too. Guys went out and tried to win every game.”
So far this season for the Tigers, McGonigle has started 77 games at short and 65 at third, bouncing back and forth, which hasn’t been easy. Because he is still learning third. Sometimes, when a ball is hit over his head at third – between the infield and the left fielder − he’ll start chasing it. Then, it will dawn on him: that’s the shortstop’s ball.
“What are you doing?” McGonigle will say to himself.
Heading into next season, the Tigers aren’t certain what position he’ll play – short, third or perhaps even second. He would be a plus defender no matter where they put him. But one thing is sure: He’ll be on the infield and bat high in the order.
Because he’s had a phenomenal season at the plate.
Here are some of my favorite tidbits and facts (discovered by Peter Chase, the Tigers PR guru). Get ready to have your mind blown:
After 151 games of the season:
- McGonigle had a 6.7 bWAR, the best of any player in the American League, the best by any MLB rookie and third best by any position player other than Pete Crow-Armstrong (9.2 bWAR) and Bryce Turang (6.8);
- McGonigle had 17 home runs, 94 runs scored, 26 doubles and 65 RBIs, becoming only the second Tiger in 126 seasons of franchise history to reach those totals as a rookie and the first in 97 years (Dale Alexander in 1929).
- McGonigle was one of only four rookies in baseball history to have a season with 17 homers, 26 doubles, 65 RBIs and 91 walks, joining Jason Heyward (2010), Alvin Davis (1984) and the Ted Williams (1939).
Yes, let’s pause right there. Because I just wrote a sentence with McGonigle and the greatest hitter of all time. And if your mind isn’t blown yet, I’m just getting started.
- McGonigle had 91 walks with 94 runs scored, only the eighth player in MLB history to reach or exceed both 90 walks and 90 runs in his rookie season, joining Aaron Judge (2017), Joe Foy (1966), Joe Morgan (1966), Dick Howser (1961), Al Rosen (1950), Ted Williams (1939) and Detroit's Lu Blue (1921).
- McGonigle had 91 walks, only the fourth rookie since 2000 to reach at least 91 walks in a season.
Who's next?
I say all of that to say this: the Arizona Fall League can be a tremendous opportunity for prospects. This year it starts Oct. 3, and seven players from the Tigers organization will play on the Scottsdale Scorpions. Five of those are pitchers who saw significant time at High-A West Michigan: Logan Berrier, Jalen Evans, Preston Howey, Maddox Long and Win Scott.
The Tigers will also send their top two prospects according to MLB Pipeline: No. 1 Zyhir Hope and No. 2 Bryce Rainer.
Rainer, who played mostly at West Michigan, is a gifted shortstop with incredible power who needs to cut down his strikeouts. It makes sense to have Rainer play some extra baseball because his first season was cut short by injury. In June 2025, Rainer suffered a dislocated shoulder while diving back to first base. He had surgery and missed the rest of the first season of pro ball.
The final Tigers prospect is Hope, the sweet swinging right fielder obtained in the Tarik Skubal trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“He can really hit,” Hinch said of Hope. “I know it took him a little bit to get acclimated to the organization. The poor guy hit a slow stretch right when he joined our organization, but he's come out of it great. The makeup reviews have been incredible. His feel for being an offensive player is starting to be showcased, and fun to watch him play with our guys. I'll find a way down there. I'm gonna go watch those guys play in the fall.”
Now, I’m not saying any of them will be like McGonigle.
But know this: Playing in Arizona is important. It’s a tremendous opportunity.
And it’s a chance to change everything.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How some time in the desert changed everything for Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle
