All around the league this spring, teams are giving their top prospects opportunities to impress this spring. In many cases around the game this year, teams have left a wide open path for their top prospects to make a run at a roster spot with minimal established competition standing in their way. That’s true of everyone from Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter of the Phillies to JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals and Carson Benge of the Mets. Top Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle has been afforded no such luxury.
While the Tigers didn’t add anyone who explicitly blocks McGonigle at shortstop this past winter (despite a run at signing Ha-Seong Kim before he re-signed in Atlanta), they haven’t exactly made the 21-year-old’s path to the big league shortstop job an easy one. By bringing Gleyber Torres back into the fold on the qualifying offer, they added an everyday player back to their infield who would push other potential second base options like Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry elsewhere on the diamond. Keith is expected to primarily handle third base for the Tigers this year after getting a look at the position last season.
That leaves shortstop to the platoon tandem of McKinstry and Javier Baez. Both were All-Stars for the Tigers last year, with McKinstry in particular putting forward a strong season where he posted a 114 wRC+ in 144 games with 3.1 fWAR. Baez saw his numbers fall off in the second half but still served as a strong option against lefties with a .318/.336/.434 slash line in 134 trips to the plate against them. With all that said, however, it’s worth remembering that both actually made the All-Star game at other positions last year; McKinstry primarily worked at the hot corner for the Tigers last year while Baez was used as a center fielder in the first half of the season.
So, where does that leave McGonigle? It would be fair to say that he has the smoothest path to the majors possible for a player blocked by multiple All-Stars thanks to the versatility of both McKinstry and Baez. Baez could just as easily be turned to as a platoon option in center field with Parker Meadows as he could be at shortstop. McKinstry played every position on the diamond except for center field and catcher last year. He could easily get regular playing time without being the team’s everyday shortstop by simply moving back into that super utility capacity he was used in last season.
Even so, if the Tigers are going to push McKinstry out of his expected everyday role (and a valuable bench piece like Matt Vierling off the roster) they’ll surely need a compelling reason to make that call. McGonigle is doing everything he can to make that argument. The consensus #2 prospect in the sport behind Konnor Griffin not only tore up Double-A last year to the tune of a 162 wRC+ despite getting unlucky on batted ball luck with a .230 BABIP, he’s come into camp on fire. In 17 plate appearances during Spring Training so far, McGonigle has slashed .400/471/.667 with two doubles and a triple.
That’s an eye-opening performance to be sure, even in a sample size that small. With that being said, however, it would be understandable if the Tigers decided that McGonigle was best served starting the season at Triple-A instead. He’s never made an appearance at the level in his career, and in fact has just 46 games at Double-A. While Griffin has gotten the most attention for his meteoric rise, knocking on the door of the majors after just 122 MiLB games (21 at Double-A), McGonigle’s 183 games played in the minors isn’t too much higher. Another factor for the Tigers is surely the consideration of both service time and the prospect promotion incentive. If McGonigle is held down in Triple-A for even a few weeks, Detroit would have the opportunity to gain an extra year of team control over the youngster. With that said, that could backfire if McGonigle were to break out as a Rookie of the Year contender. A top-two finish in AL Rookie of the Year voting this year would guarantee him a full year of service time even if he starts the year in the minors, and winning the award would net the Tigers a draft pick if he did earn a full year of service time the old-fashioned way.
How do MLBTR readers think the Tigers will handle the shortstop position to open the year? Will they give the keys to the position to McKinstry and Baez, or will McGonigle get the opportunity to establish himself as the franchise’s future at shortstop? Have your say in the poll below:
Will Kevin McGonigle make the Tigers' Opening Day roster this year?
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Yes 54% (1,827)
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No 46% (1,573)
Total votes: 3,400
If Griffin wasn’t generating so much buzz about potentially making the Opening Day roster without needing to go to AAA, would we be asking this about McGonigle or would your answer change?
Not because McGonigle hasn’t earned it by being outstanding so far this spring and being a great player but more so because he is not particularly needed on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster as much as Griffin is needed on the Pirates but he’s performing at a similarly high level as Griffin and causing people to say, why not him, too?
I think he starts at AAA and once the Tigers get the extra year of control he will get called up….. unless he struggles then a little longer at AAA.
McGonigle is older and has more experience than Griffin. The buzz around him has nothing to do with Griffin. He is needed in the big leagues because Baez may end up in CF with the way Meadows is playing. Plus he is an ideal bat to slot in near the top of the order with his on base skills.
I wish MLBTR would offer ‘I have no idea’ as an option.
I wish MLBTR would list ‘I have no idea’ as an option to vote for.
Then don’t vote if you have no idea. You know, you could read the comments.
Wow, why didn’t i think of that? What insight.
Do you think I’m voting when I have no real opinion, and there’s no option other than yes, no, or whatever?
As a matter fact I do not, and have not, voted when I lack what’s necessary for a informed opinion, which occurs often. Others can do as they want, I don’t care. And, I also read the article and the comments, despite the fact that I did not vote.
What I do know is MLBTR uses the numbers of votes in marketing for advertising. I’d like to support the site, and having a ‘don’t know’ option might help in that regard. I have no idea how many there are like me that don’t vote often, maybe I’m the only one, or one a small minority, which would make that point moot.
But yours was a fairly strong response to a half-serious comment. I guess I better watch I post around you.
How was I supposed to know you didn’t vote?
Why did you assume I did?
Because I thought you were serious.
Rare personal integrity on display here. We live in an age where everyone has a snap opinion and they are more than willing to tell you how certain they are of something when in actuality they do not even know the extent of what they do not know. When someone is publicly honest about what they do not know it’s like a breath of fresh air.
Pointless. If you “have no idea” then it’s not worth contributing to the survey. It’s the equivalent of a member of congress voting “present” instead of yay or Nay.
Like a rep voting present, it’s not pointless at all. There are many reasons for reps vote present. You should Google it to see them.
Voting ‘don’t know’ would show how many people found the question to be a coin flip, and not have a clear opinion one way or the other.
Detroit Tigers feel like the Houston Texans of Baseball these days. Questionable but I guess solid regular season where they make it through 1 Playoff Round before losing to a far superior opponent.
CJ Stoud SUCKED in the playoffs.
That’s why I’m worried about the Tigers stars in the Playoffs (Skubal/Greene). Jays might swoop in and have their way.
Who is far superior in the AL? Toronto and the Yankees have injuries to worry about. Seattle, KC and Boston have question marks on offence just like Detroit. Houston and Baltimore have holes. I don’t see a clear cut favorite at all.
I personally don’t think you can lump Seattle in with Boston, KC, and Detroit when it comes to offense. Seattle tied for second and two points behind Los Angeles in team wRC+ last year. Yes they are missing Suarez & Polanco but they have Donovan and a full season of Naylor to help make up for some of that.
How much of that was Big Dumpers career season though? Detroit was a top offence too until they fell off a cliff in the second half. I think Seattle has improved their offence with full seasons of Naylor and Donovan but no way Big Dumper repeats the season he had.
Boston, Detroit, Seattle and especially KC have some question marks at positions.
If I’m picking someone to be this seasons Big Dumper and take a huge step forward it is Bobby Witt Jr in KC. I think KC will be a wild card playoff team because of him and their pitching.
To me Seattle and Detroit are the clear favorites in their divisions (and thats my call for the AL Championship and winner is WS Champ). The East will beat up on each other all season and someone will float to the top by a couple games at the end. I think all three division winners will be within a few games of each other though. There’s no AL team clearly ahead of everyone else like the LA Dodgers in the NL this year.
Can’t wait for the season to start. Cheers.
Going with yes for McGonigle.
I say let him get started in AAA so he plays regularly and gains some more experience and we gain that extra year of his services. While I like his hitting so far, before we get too optomistic, keep in mind that major league pitchers will make adjustments quickly….it will be interesting to see if he can adjust back.
Except there’s a pretty decent chance that the whole arbitration/years to free agency/etc is completely rethought and built from scratch in the next CBA. If there is a cap with floor/ceiling the players would demand a quicker path to free agency as a trade off. And even if no cap is agreed to there’s a strong chance that the whole service-day thing for MLB debuts is scrubbed completely so this idea of manipulation isnt even an option.
The Tigers showed with Jobe for playoff run cpl years ago they aren’t afraid to promote someone that will make them clearly a better team. Right now he is already their third best SS option at minimum and might be their second best contact hitter.
I actually think they WILL bring him up north…even though I dont think they planned to. Fact is that there isnt 13 better position players over him in camp right now.
Not sure they should operate under the assumption that the arbitration/years to free agency/etc. will change greatly with the new CBA.
I think he’s good enough to play in the majors now, but they’re going to start him in the minors.
Yes, because of the possible draft pick if he finishes high in ROY. But if he’s struggling, they will send him to Toledo for a while to build his confidence.
He has to WIN the ROY or finish top 3 in MVP to get a PPI.
I need to see Javy Baez get to 10 walks. He can’t do that without 500 at bats.
The Tigers love Vierling. I don’t see any shot he’s pushed off the roster.
Meadows has been terrible though. Baez in CF worked well last year. Run with thst and McGonigle at SS.
Parker Meadows has 6 weeks of MLB level hitter production in 2 seasons, and a lot of injuries.
Jahmai Jones is a fringe platoon bat.
Vierling plays OF.
Baez and McKinstry have roster spots, but those 3 and Wenceel Perez aren’t locks. McGonigle homered yesterday and the ball is scorchibg off his bat. Looks at worst average to a tick above at SS.
Max Clark is coming to take CF by summer anyways, so workshop it with Baez/McK/Greene/Vierling/Perez until Clark is ready.
Or let Jones go. To me it’s Jones or Parker, not Vierling (RH)
McGonigle is going to eventually move to second base due to Bryce Rainer.
Which works fine in 3-4 years when Rainer gets here. Even next year he could go to 2B because Torres is only on a 1 year contract.
Update/Edit-McGonigle hit a 461ft nuke of a HR yesterday that is the 5th longest recorded by a Tiger hitter ever
Check him for juice! Maybe he trains with Profar in the offseason. How can a teeny little guy like that hit a 461 foot home run?? Seems fishy !!
McGonigle – absolutely yes
Max Clark – absolutely not
I voted Yes. The Tigers are trying to win now, and their offense needs a boost. Harris has said all along that the improvement in offense will come from within. The prospect incentive program gives even more reason – Scottie loves his picks. They do like Vierling but he still has an option left, and they did without him most of last year. They also have the option of kicking Jahmai Jones. I don’t know Matt’s splits but he’d also be a right-handed bench bat.
I voted yes although I hope it’s a NO because I’m a Cleveland Guardian fan. Gotta be crazy to hold this kid back for any length of time. Might be better than Bazzana, I hope not but he rakes.
It seems to be the debate between extra year of control or possible extra draft pick. Im gonna guess extra year of control, and then extend him.
Who said he’s winning the rookie of year or finishing in top 3 of MVP before arbitration?
Astros- guess you haven’t watched the guy play…..hes a star in the making.
Tight, compact swing, short to the ball, impacts with power.
No, I haven’t. But I know he’s a superstar in the making.
But your original comment was that it’s a debate between one year of control and a extra draft pick. I don’t think it’s guaranteed McGonigle gets you a PPI.
Sign him to an extended deal, or send him down for a few to get the 7 years. This guy is the real deal, and the lead off hitter Detroit needs while playing short stop and having Javy play center field. They have to make some choices this year.
He’s the type of guy we want for his full career here. Play him to start, but you better darn well pay him when he earns the money. The second half last year with no traffic on the bases or even the ability to drive someone in was a tough watch even though we all know they exceeded even the most highest expectations for the first 90 games.
They’ve built a pitching staff to have him start the season at S.S. I really hope he does come north to start the year. They gave Colt the extension sure, but boy does this guy look good. We enjoyed Tram and Lou for 2 decades, and its a travesty of baseball that Lou and his 75 war is not in the H.O.F. Unbelievable that he’s not. Let McGonigle be one of those guys going forward. A core up the middle piece for 2 decades.
Vierling won’t be the one optioned. Meadows, Vierling, Perez and Baez can all play CF. McKinstry can play anywhere. It will come down to Meadows or Jones, unless there is an injury.
I don’t understand where Colt Keith fits on the team. He’s not an adequate 3B fielding-wise, and he hasn’t proven he’s a valuable enough hitter to be an everyday player. I suspect 3B is going to be an area that will likely need to be addressed mid-season.
Tigers also have another conundrum with Parker Meadows, who I think should begin the year in Toledo, with Baez becoming the regular CF, and McGonigle becoming the starting SS. Do I think that will happen… probably not, but it seems like the most logical solution.
As to McKinstry, I think him and Vierling are largely redundant, with Vierling offering a much higher ceiling. I don’t understand McKinstry’s role with the team this season either.
Keith was going to take Tork’s spot last year but Tork improved, that might still change. Keith would be at 2B this year but Torres took his option, Torres will be gone after this year.
Max Anderson is going to get mlb pa in 26 as well and be up for good, like McG Clark and Liranzo, and probably Briceño in 27
Luke: I’d bet Hinch does not look sat them as redundant – one hits right and the other left….that is a BIG difference for a manager who platoons as much as he does.
Plus McKinistry can play SS and Vierling can’t
Colt is 3B until he proves he cannot play it. He’s hardly played there at all to date. Give him a chance. He booted one today but played ok otherwise, including a short stint at 1B. His hitting is looking pretty good. He’s already had a few shots down the LF line.
Max Anderson is a defensive liability and hasn’t hit much either. His only path to MLB this year is through Jahmai Jones as the RH specialist bat.
Agree Meadows should start in Toledo if he continues to plod as he has to date. Vierling and McKinstry are more complementary than redundant, as one is RH & the other LH, and one can play SS and the other can’t. AJ likes both.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t be against McKinstry being traded for an arm if Trei Cruz were ready to be a cheaper UTIL option.
I think he breaks with the club to avoid the skenes scenario. Pitt kept him down long enough to retain the extra year of service only to watch him earn the year and to pile on, keeping him down cost them the incentive pick. break camp with him and if he hits the ground running the incentive program works for you and if he struggles, you send him down and regain the extra year of control
I’ve had it up to here with logical thinking!!! /sarc off
I think that’s going to be the new course of action for top prospects. barring changes to the incentive program in the next cba
I have my doubts. He looked pretty overmatched vs team DR
McGonigle looked overmatched vs DR?
LOL!
Say what?????