Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle, 21, reflects on his rapid rise, All-Star selection, and hometown Philadelphia as he prepares for the All-Star Game. Despite his young age, McGonigle's on-base performance ranks historically among players at the All-Star break, behind only Mike Trout and Al Kaline. Drafted 37th in 2023, he skipped Triple-A, made the opening day roster, and signed an $150 million, eight-year contract. Teammates and opponents praise his maturity and hitting. McGonigle also shared his favorite cheesesteak spots in the Philadelphia area ahead of the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.
DETROIT — Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle can’t wait to go home for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Even though McGonigle is just 21, he has had a lot of travel bags for baseball.
None, though, was like the white one sitting on the carpeted floor next to his chair in the Tigers’ clubhouse. The duffel bag was adorned with the All-Star Game logo and there was an Old English D on each end. Since the first All-Star Game in 1933, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and Hall of Famer Al Kaline are the two players who have reached base safely more often than McGonigle at the break.
The Tigers thought McGonigle would be good, but no one could have projected this much production so early in his career. Detroit drafted McGonigle with the No. 37 pick in 2023 and he spent two-plus years in the minor leagues, skipping a stop at Triple-A Toledo, as a promising prospect. Shortly after McGonigle made the major league roster during spring training and had four hits in his debut, the franchise saw enough to give him a $150 million, eight-year contract.
“It’s so impressive how mature he is in the box,” Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene said. “You don’t see many people at 21 having at-bats as good as him. ”“He’s a good-looking, young player,” said Phillies manager Don Mattingly, who was quite a player himself.
“Young guys seem to be coming up a lot more often, and doing well right away. “Seeing him in the spring, he swung the bat. In spring you kind of go, ‘OK, we’ll see,’ with young guys and then obviously, he has taken it into the season and he’s still rolling.
” McGonigle, who was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in nearby Drexel Hill, shared his picks for the best cheesesteaks in the Philadelphia area ahead of the Home Run Derby on Monday night and the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
“Delco’s Steaks in Delaware County, which is where I’m from, is my favorite,” he said. “In the city, Philip’s is a sleeper. There’s a different way they cut the meat, and it’s really good. ”
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