The Detroit Tigers have another rising star on their hands. Infield prospect Kevin McGonigle just snagged the 2025 Arizona Fall League Most Valuable Player award after a dominant showing that’s put him firmly on the map as one of baseball’s most exciting young talents.
He’s only 21 and split his AFL time between shortstop and third base. For the Scottsdale Scorpions, he produced at an exceptional level and kept climbing the Tigers’ minor league ladder.
This marks the second year in a row that a Detroit player has taken home AFL MVP honors. That’s starting to say something about the Tigers’ growing wave of elite prospects.
McGonigle’s Arizona Fall League Dominance
Honestly, not many players have left their mark on the AFL quite like McGonigle did in 2025. In just 19 games, he hit a wild .362, launched five homers, and tallied 19 RBIs.
His 1.210 OPS stands out as one of the best in recent AFL memory. That mix of power, patience, and pure bat skill is rare.
He led the league in extra-base hits (12) and total bases (49). Only one player scored more runs than his 22.
On defense, he flashed smooth glove work at both short and third. The MVP nod wasn’t all—he made the AFL All-Star team too, joining fellow Tigers prospects Max Anderson and Dariel Fregio.
A Pipeline Producing Results
Detroit’s player development system is becoming a story to watch. Last year, Josue Briceño grabbed AFL MVP, and now McGonigle keeps the streak alive. That’s got to be a good sign for the Tigers’ future.
McGonigle’s AFL breakout just builds on what’s already been a pretty impressive start to his pro career.
From High School Standout to Top Prospect
He started out in Pennsylvania at Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High School. Even back then, his mature approach at the plate turned heads.
The Tigers drafted him 37th overall in 2023. He wasted no time showing he could handle better pitching and moved up through several minor league levels by the end of 2025.
Heading into 2025, Baseball America put him at No. 23 overall among all prospects. That’s a pretty big vote of confidence from the industry.
By season’s end, he’d lived up to the hype. Across three Tigers affiliates last year, McGonigle put up:
- .305 batting average
- .408 on-base percentage
- .583 slugging percentage
- 19 home runs
- 80 RBIs
- 10 stolen bases
- 52 extra-base hits out of 101 total hits
A Bat Built for the Big Leagues
Scouts love to talk about McGonigle’s compact swing and sharp eye. His 2025 stats show he can hit for average and power, all while keeping his plate discipline intact.
That’s the kind of balance teams crave in today’s MLB. Not easy to find, honestly.
What’s Next for Kevin McGonigle?
He hasn’t made his major league debut yet, but it’s hard not to think he’ll get a shot in Tigers’ 2026 Spring Training. Detroit’s infield could look a lot different soon, and his ability to play both short and third gives him an edge.
If he keeps producing like this, McGonigle might push the Tigers to make a move sooner than later. They’ve been patient with young hitters lately, but bats like his don’t tend to wait long for a shot at the big stage.
A Sign of Things to Come
McGonigle’s breakout in 2025 isn’t just some fluke. It fits into a bigger story for Detroit.
The Tigers have poured resources into scouting and development. Their focus on analytics has helped them build a farm system that can actually produce MLB-level talent.
For Tigers fans, seeing back-to-back AFL MVPs means more than just a couple of shiny trophies. It’s real evidence that Detroit’s future might finally be shaped by players who came up through their own system.
If Kevin McGonigle keeps this up, he could do more than just follow Josue Briceño’s lead. There’s a real shot he carves out his own place as one of the next faces of the franchise.
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Here is the source article for this story: Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle named Arizona Fall League MVP
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