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Rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle has only played in 17 games, but the Detroit Tigers already know they want him long-term.
The Tigers announced Wednesday they agreed to an eight-year, $150 million extension for McGonigle that begins next season.
The 21-year-old entered the season as the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball by multiple outlets and has thrived so far this season with the Tigers. In 17 games, McGonigle has a .311 batting average with one home run and eight RBI while playing both shortstop and third base.
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Kevin McGonigle celebrates with Detroit Tigers teammates in the dugout after hitting his first major league home run in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Comerica Park. Detroit, Michigan, April 12, 2026. The Tigers won 8-2. (Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The contract extension covers the 2027-34 seasons, which includes the final five seasons of club control and McGonigle’s first three seasons of free agency. His salary will increase throughout the duration of the agreement.
He will earn guaranteed salaries of $1 million in 2027, $7 million in 2028, $16 million in 2029, $21 million in 2030, $22 million in 2031 and $23 million in the 2032, 2033 and 2034 seasons.
He has escalators in his contract that could increase his maximum base salary in 2032 to $25 million, his maximum in 2033 to $26 million and his maximum in 2034 to $28 million, bringing the maximum value of the deal to $160 million.
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Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle celebrates after diving safely at home plate in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Detroit, Michigan, April 14, 2026. (Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)
The Tigers drafted McGonigle in the first round (37th overall pick) of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania native pitched in Single-A, High-A and Double-A last year in the minor leagues. He impressed, hitting .305 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI in 88 games across those three levels.
After the season ended, McGonigle played in the Arizona Fall League and won the MVP. In 19 games, he hit .362 with five home runs and 19 RBI, walking 19 times while striking out just 12 times.
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Detroit Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle watches his home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning of a baseball game. Detroit, Michigan, April 12, 2026. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo)
McGonigle has shown impressive plate discipline, walking 123 times over his minor league career while striking out just 84 times in 818 minor league games. That trend has translated to the big leagues, as he has walked 11 times with just eight strikeouts so far this season.
The Tigers (8-9), who beat the Kansas City Royals (7-10) 2-1 on Tuesday, will play them again in the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET.
