Kevin McGonigle, the Detroit Tigers' top infield prospect, has been named the 2025 Arizona Fall League MVP. The No. 2 overall prospect in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 slashed .362/.500/.710 over 19 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. His performance earned him the Joe Black MVP Award, joining past winners like Nolan Arenado and Kris Bryant.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Kevin McGonigle enhanced his reputation as one of baseball's premier hitting prospects by dominating the Arizona Fall League. Ranked No. 2 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list and considered by many scouts the best pure hitter in the Minors, the Tigers infielder led the developmental circuit in extra-base hits with 12 and total bases with 49. He ranked second in runs scored (22) and home runs (5), while placing third in slugging percentage and OPS at 1.210.
McGonigle, the 37th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of a suburban Philadelphia high school, posted a .362/.500/.710 slash line in 19 games. Earlier in the season, he batted .305/.408/.583 with 19 homers and a Minors-best 182 wRC+ across 88 games, reaching Double-A at age 20. His left-handed swing features bat speed, pitch recognition, strike zone control, and hard contact to all fields.
"I like saying it's hitting dumb almost," McGonigle said. "Just going up thinking fastball and then just reacting to the offspeed and just trying to put a good swing on the pitcher's mistake. If you lose one in the heart of the plate, just make a good swing and connect with it. And if you don't, then keep battling."
Beyond his bat, McGonigle showcased defensive versatility and hustle. In the Fall Stars Game, he made a barehanded scoop and throw to nail Seaver King at first base, preserving a scoreless inning for pitcher Anderson Brito. Later, McGonigle walked, stole second on a passed ball from Jesús Broca that eluded catcher Owen Ayers, advanced to third on a fly ball, and scored on a groundout in the American League's 5-4 victory.
"Growing up, I was always preached about helping the team and I think that's why I've gotten to this point in my career," McGonigle said. "It's just the things like that, little things, hustling down the line, trying to make every play for the pitcher on the mound. Just doing everything you can to help the team win is my mindset and I look forward to keep doing that. I think that's going to lead me in the right direction."
Playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions, McGonigle focused on third base to expand his infield options, having primarily played shortstop and second base earlier in his career. His style draws comparisons to Chase Utley, whom he idolized as a Phillies fan.
"Every time he went out there, it looked like he was just trying to help his team win and that's my biggest mindset," McGonigle said. "Just little things like the four-pitch walk and the All-Star Game, being able to get on second base, that's like the little things he did right. Just the way he ran on and off the field, always had his chin up and played the game hard in the right way. That's just the way I want to model my game and I look forward to keep playing that way for the rest of my career."
McGonigle's skills position him for a potential Tigers debut in 2026.