Kevin McGonigle kept collecting milestones Saturday, and this one put him in rare company with Ty Cobb.
The Tigers rookie doubled to right-center field after an eight-pitch at-bat, taking advantage when Mike Trout couldn’t finish a diving catch attempt. The hit was McGonigle’s 100th of the season, and it came before he had even played in 100 games. That puts him alongside Cobb as the only players 21 or younger to reach 100 hits before getting to that game total.
It was another eye-catching marker in a rookie season that keeps stacking them up. On July 12, McGonigle had already moved into third place all-time by reaching base 161 times before the All-Star break for players 21 or younger.
The moment carried a little extra shine for McGonigle, who has spent the week collecting more than just baseball accomplishments. After his All-Star Game experience, he met Trout and started what he described as a budding friendship with the Angels star. He also introduced himself to Chase Utley, the former Phillies second baseman he grew up idolizing and modeled his game after.
When asked by MLB Network what it meant to start those two professional relationships and play in front of family and friends, he said: "It means the world (to me). It's really special."
McGonigle’s bat has been part of a bigger push for Detroit. The Tigers rallied Friday night for a 2-1 win at Angel Stadium, then opened Saturday with a fast start behind McGonigle. He had two hits and scored two runs in his first two at-bats, helping Detroit race to a 6-0 lead in the third inning.
That matters for a team trying to get rolling after a rough 6-22 May. The Tigers are also among the clubs expected to help shape the trade deadline market over the next two-plus weeks.
For now, though, McGonigle keeps doing what he has done all season: hitting, reaching base and giving the Tigers another reason to keep watching.
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Tigers Deadline Pressure Just Hit A Point Scott Harris Can't Ignore
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Kenley Jansens Tigers Role Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
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Jansen has been part of those conversations with Hinch, and the broader message is clear: roles are still being sorted out as the Tigers juggle a busy schedule and a rotation that is about to shift again. Montero is also expected to factor into the starting mix soon, which means the bullpen picture could look different again before long, leaving Jansens place in it a little less settled than it seemed not long ago. [Read more 🡒]