Tigers Top Prospect Kevin McGonigle Predicted to Win Massive Award This Year
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The Detroit Tigers have built the organization on the back of an elite farm system over the last couple of years, and they are just starting to see the fruits of that labor come to fruition.
With some truly blue chip talent at the top of the farm, there are some exciting days ahead in Detroit as the Tigers try to take the next step from playoff team to legitimate World Series contender. That talent is likely a huge reason why the team has not pursued a ton of offensive help this offseason, and it seems some may be arriving sooner than later.
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There is no greater example of this than top prospect Kevin McGonigle, who the eventual debut of has been speculated on and debated heavily, coming off an absurdly strong 2025 season in High-A and Double-A.
McGonigle is all but certain to see his first MLB action in 2026, but the question is how early. According to award predictions from Anthony Castrovince on the MLB Network, though, the belief is starting to be it will be early, because the longtime writer and contributor is pegging the youngster as his American League Rookie of the Year pick.
McGonigle Picked to Win Rookie of the Year for Tigers
.@castrovince predicts Kevin McGonigle of the Tigers and JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals to win Rookie of the Year in 2026! https://t.co/ir82L0ykan pic.twitter.com/MexXjunCBj
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 11, 2026
"McGonigle has the best hit tool in the minor leagues," Castrovince said after referencing a poll of executives who shared his belief that Detroit's top dog is going to wind up with the honor when all is said and done this year.
Scott Harris has essentially already said McGonigle is going to appear in the lineup at some point this year, however, spring training is going to go a long way towards determining how early that may be.
A spot on the Opening Day roster seems unlikely, but momentum is trending further and further towards an early debut for the 21-year-old.
Tigers May Allow McGonigle to Make Debut Early This Season
In 88 games this past year after beginning the season with an ankle injury, McGonigle slashed an absurd .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI, and 46 of those games came in Double-A. After the year, Detroit sent him to the Arizona Fall League where he was even more dominant.
With a borderline laughable slash line of .362/.500/.710, the young slugger won the AFL's MVP award after the dominant stretch. It would not be unprecedented to see him make the roster out of the gate for the Tigers, but it would be contrary to the way they usually do things.
Ultimately, Detroit likely wants to see McGonigle get some action in Triple-A, but if he can show he can handle his own there, a May or June call-up may be very much in the cards. Then, if he hits the ground running and becomes a huge contributor to a playoff team, the prestigious Rookie of the Year award could very much be in the cards.
McGonigle's debut is inevitable and the hype is building, and it seems that hype is starting to make its way out of the Motor City as well.
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Michael Brauner is a 2022 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Sports Media. He covers various MLB teams across the On SI network and you can also find his work on Yellowhammer News covering the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers as well as on the radio producing and co-hosting 'The Opening Kickoff' every weekday morning on 105.5 WNSP FM in Mobile, Alabama.