Over the next few weeks, the Detroit Tigers will be looking to see which players will be among the final additions to their playoff roster. The Tigers are currently in the driver’s seat for the AL Central title (8.5 games over the Kansas City Royals) and a top-two seed in the AL.
One of those players who could be on the radar for a promotion for the playoffs is minor league prospect Kevin McGonigle, who has played at three different minor league levels this year. But the Tigers have poured water on that idea.
According to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, McGonigle is heading to the Arizona Fall League and will play for the Scottsdale Scorpions.
Tigers' Top Prospect Kevin McGonigle Will Play in Arizona Fall League
The 21-year-old shortstop will be joining several other Tigers prospects in Arizona, where they will get a chance to play with other top minor league guys in baseball.
Last year, we saw Detroit surprisingly call up pitching prospect Jackson Jobe in September, and he made two appearances in the playoffs. However, it was unlikely that Detroit was going to call McGonigle up, given the infield depth they already have.
McGonigle has taken his game to another level this year after his 2024 season was cut short by a fractured right hamate injury.
- Single-A Lakeland – .235/.350/.353 (6 games)
- High-A Western Michigan – .372/.462/.648 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI (36 games)
- Double-A Erie – .240/.365/.513 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI (42 games)
Now the left-handed hitting shortstop will get a chance to continue building off a successful 2025 season in Arizona. The AFL has seen a lot of talented minor league players over the years who eventually become stars in baseball, like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper.
Tigers fans will have a lot to watch over the coming weeks between the MLB playoffs and the young kids in the Arizona Fall League.
Lastly, if McGonigle can have a strong showing in Arizona starting in early October. We shouldn't be surprised if we hear his name mentioned in the offseason as one of the prospects who could make their debut in 2026.