When Kevin McGonigle walked into the Tigers' clubhouse this week for his first big-league camp, he found No. 85 above his stall -- "big 8-5," he said with a smile. His locker was next to that of No. 84 Max Clark and across from those of sluggers Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, who not so long ago were in the cleats of McGonigle and Clark, two of the top prospects in baseball trying to play their way onto the Tigers' roster.
"Definitely is a reminder," said McGonigle, "that (we're) getting there."
McGonigle and Clark likely still need some seasoning in the minors, Clark in particular. Neither one has played beyond Double-A. McGonigle is the more polished hitter of the two, hence the clamor for the Tigers to give him a real crack at the Opening Day roster after their offense cratered late last season. Philosophically, they aren't unwilling to promote a player to the majors without a stop in Triple-A.
They are unwilling to risk said player's development, on either side of the ball, in the name of improving the big-league club, which is why McGonigle feels more likely to start this season in Toledo. Doesn't mean he isn't thinking about Detroit.
"I know the Tigers have a plan with all their guys in the minor league system and I’m going to do whatever I can to maybe force their hand and bring me up there," he said. "But if that’s not the case this year, I’ll be wherever my feet are and won’t let that affect me at all."
McGonigle is the No. 2 prospect in the game, per MLB Pipeline. Clark checks in at No. 10. They took turns smacking balls over the right-field fence during batting practice Thursday in Lakeland, as Akon's 'Smack That' played over the speakers on the backfields. After killing the minors last season, McGonigle went west and destroyed the Arizona Fall League. The 21-year-old is "one of the best offensive players in all of minor league baseball right now," Scott Harris said Tuesday.
"Arguably the best hitting prospect of the 2020s so far," per MLB Pipeline, as dangerous against lefties as righties, "like a coil ready to spring."
The question isn't so much whether that will lead McGoingle to the majors this season, but when. Detroit's position players feel set in stone right now, but injuries and slumps will happen. Needs will arise. Harris said the Tigers consider two on-field factors "when we make promotion decisions: Do they make this team better and — it’s not an or but an and — are they ready to make the developmental leap?"
Offensively, the Tigers might already suspect that McGonigle is ready, though he still has lots to prove over the next seven weeks. He'll see plenty of big-league pitching once the games begin, with a chance to back up his gaudy numbers in the minors. But when McGonigle was asked Thursday where he needs to make the biggest gains, his response was telling: "The biggest thing for me this offseason was defense."
"There are some players in the minors who can make us better offensively right now, but they're not ready to be the two-way players, they’re not ready to be the well-rounded players that can help us on both sides of the ball," said Harris. "We're trying to build an offense and defense that can consistently help us win games. We have to make sure that the young players are ready to help on both sides of the ball and ready for the challenge that is coming for them, to make sure that they come through the other side as better players."
McGonigle spent the offseason taking reps at shortstop, third and second. Tigers infield coach and former All-Star second baseman Joey Cora paid him a visit in the Fall League to take some ground balls and discuss the intricacies of each position. McGonigle loves Cora's intensity, which reminds him of the way he was coached as a kid by his dad. His goal entering camp was to be "prepared at any position for whenever A.J. wants to throw me somewhere."
"And I feel pretty good out there so far," he said.
The assumption surrounding McGonigle is that he's destined to play second in the majors. Not so fast. The Tigers think McGonigle, who might look like a second baseman with his 5'10 frame, has the athleticism to potentially stick at shortstop. So does McGonigle himself.
"My biggest thing is, I’ve always wanted to be a shortstop in Major League Baseball, and I’m going to keep working as hard as I can to stick there," he said. "Sometimes you can’t control that and it’s up to someone else to move me, but wherever they want me to play, I’ll play."
Given the Tigers' uncertainty at shortstop, where they're looking at a platoon in 2026, it makes sense to find out if McGonigle can be the long-term answer. It also might lengthen his development curve. Javy Baez and Zach McKinstry are first in line this season, with Trey Sweeney in the conversation as well. The Tigers won't call on McGonigle's bat until they're comfortable with his glove.
"We’re not going to make any decision on any of those guys until the end (of camp)," said Harris. "You guys know me: I’m going to wait till the last possible second to make decisions."
Harris' first two draft picks in Detroit, McGonigle and Clark have climbed the minors together like Torkelson and Greene. They're opposite personalities but close friends, McGonigle the understated introvert, Clark the flashy extrovert. On the golf course, McGonigle is more consistent off the tee, but heads up when Clark gets into one. Clark, who usually has a gold chain or two around his neck, has been trying to get McGonigle into jewelry this spring.
"I’m like, 'Yo, nah, I can’t be spending my money on that,'" McGonigle said with a laugh. "But if I ever need a jewelry guy, I’ll go to him."
And when the Tigers need a bat this season, they just might to go McGonigle.