He Wasn’t Player Of The Year, But Kevin McGonigle’s Season Was One To Remember

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Kevin McGonigle (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

In the final game of the 2025 season, Kevin McGonigle struck out three times. It was a rare thing for the Tigers shortstop, as it had happened only twice over his previous 190+ games as a professional.

Unfortunately for McGonigle and the Erie Seawolves, this came at an inopportune time. Erie, playing in its fourth consecutive Eastern League final, fell to Binghamton 8-2 in a deciding game three. 

Despite a massively productive season, it has, in some ways, also been a season defined by second-place finishes and runner-ups for the Tigers’ top prospect, On Monday, Baseball America named Konnor Griffin the 2025 Minor League Player of the Year. Two days later, Erie and McGonigle fell in that Eastern League final. 

Still, you canâ€t tell the story of the 2025 minor league season without McGonigle.

Currently No. 2 among BA’s Top 100 Prospects, McGonigle is a dynamic player with one of the most polished hit tools weâ€ve seen in the minors in some time. The 21-year-old has an old-school gamer mentality, and he gets into more power and speed than his physical tools might suggest. 

For many evaluators outside the Tigers’ organization, McGonigle is the top prospect in the game and praise has been effusive. It’s left Tigers fans wondering if McGonigle—a player who is capable of doing everything well and brings a winnerâ€s mentality—could have provided a spark to a free-falling major league team over the final month of the season. 

In many ways, McGonigle is the final cog in a rebuild thatâ€s taken a decade and spanned multiple general managers. Alongside Tigers teammate Max Clark, he has found success throughout his minor league career, racking up winning records at every stop along the way. The Tigers hope the dynamic duo can do the same when they reach Detroit in 2026. 

What sets McGonigle apart from other top prospects is his robust and well-rounded set of tools at the plate. While Griffin is the best all-around player in the minors, it wouldnâ€t be wrong to say that, at the moment, McGonigle is MiLB’s best hitter.

The data backs this statement when comparing McGonigle to minor league averages across his skill metrics:

Miss%IZ-Miss%Chase%Swing%Chase-Swing%Kevin McGonigle18%13.60%20.20%45.20%25%MiLB Avg.27%19.20%25.10%45%19.60%Difference-9%-5.60%-4.90%+0.20%-5.40%

Here we see that McGonigleâ€s skill-based metrics are well above minor league averages. On paper, his numbers roughly equate to a 70-grade hit tool (or better), as he shows elite contact and swing decisions.

Where McGonigle really separated himself from other highly-skilled hitters this season, though, is in his ability to hit for power. After hitting just five homers in 2024, McGonigle smashed 19 across three levels in 2025.

Again, we find standout metrics:

Avg. EV90% EVMax. EVPullAir%xWOBAHard-Hit LAKevin McGonigle91.5 mph105.3 mph113.3 mph24%0.38517.4MiLB Avg.86.2 mph101.5 mph108.4 mph18.60%0.29410Difference+5.3 mph+3.8 mph+4.9 mph+5%+0.091+7.4

McGonigle not only displays elite plate skills, but his power numbers compare well to other top prospects, too. He shows above-average raw power based on major league averages with strong launch angles that allow him to drive his best-struck contact in the air.

Where McGonigle really stands out compared to other prospects is with his optimized swing path. His ability to hit the ball hard in the air to his pull side has allowed him to get to more of his power and likely will lead to 20-plus home run totals annually in the majors.

In many ways, McGonigle is what a fully-optimized hitter looks like: few holes in his swing, a discerning eye at the plate and a swing optimized for power. And while he may have experienced a season of close-call finishes when it comes to awards and trophies, with a future as bright as any in the game, we may one day see McGonigle reach the gameâ€s greatest heights.

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