The Tigers already have one Rookie of the Year frontrunner in Kevin McGonigle, but Eduardo Valencia has made sure he belongs in the same conversation for 2027.
McGonigle has been impossible to miss since his debut in March. The 22-year-old has an OPS over .800, along with 18 home runs, 72 RBI and 95 walks, and he has separated himself as the clear favorite in the American League race.
Valencia, though, has pushed his way into the picture with a late surge that has only strengthened his case. The Tigers’ young catcher did not look overwhelmed by big-league pitching at all, and his production has kept climbing instead of fading.
Over his last 15 games, Valencia is hitting .385/.448/.635 with an OPS of 1.083. He also delivered one of the memorable swings of the stretch when he launched a two-run walk-off homer on Justin Verlander day.
DID IT FOR JV !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/iBsZC0CFvA
Valencia was initially viewed by some as a player who might cool off once the sample grew, but that never happened. If anything, he got better every time he stepped into the box.
The 26-year-old was brought to the Tigers’ clubhouse as the backup catcher to Dillon Dingler, and Dingler is not going anywhere. That has made Valencia’s role pretty straightforward: when he is not catching, he needs to be in the lineup as the designated hitter.
He appeared in 44 games, spending more time at DH than behind the plate, and the bat kept playing. Three three-hit games over his last 11 contests underscored just how well he handled the opportunity.
Valencia’s rookie status also keeps him in the 2027 conversation, unlike Max Clark, who has lost rookie eligibility. A player has to have had fewer than 130 at-bats in the majors the year before to remain a rookie the next season, and Valencia was held at 129, which leaves him eligible.
For the Tigers, the formula is simple: if a player produces, there is room for him. Valencia has done exactly that, and his first full season in the majors should be worth watching.
In Other News...
Michigan State May Finally Have A New Answer For Its Stalled Offense
Four weeks into Pat Fitzgeralds tenure, Michigan State is still searching for a cleaner offensive rhythm, and the strain has started to show on the other side of the ball as well. The Spartans have not found enough consistency to take pressure off a defense that has been asked to carry too much, so the staff is looking for ways to get more out of the roster it already has.
One possible piece is tight end Carson Gulker, the Ferris State transfer who has drawn notice for his athleticism and versatility. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said Gulker may be in line for more playing time as Michigan State tries to be more efficient with its personnel, though his blocking still needs work before he can become a major factor. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Still Has A Real Path To A Wisconsin Upset
Michigan State heads into its matchup with Wisconsin still looking for answers after a rough stretch, and Pat Fitzgerald knows the margin for error is thin. The Badgers have already shown they can beat a quality opponent, knocking off Penn State and landing just outside the AP Top 25, which makes this a tricky spot for a Spartan team trying to steady itself.
There are still reasons to think Michigan State can make this interesting if it cleans up its own issues and gets help from a few key areas. The Spartans will be leaning more on Jaz Patterson with Cam Edwards injured, and Patterson has already shown he can be productive against Wisconsin, giving Michigan State at least one familiar piece to build around as it tries to find the kind of opening that could turn this into an upset. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Enters Wisconsin With Its Offense Suddenly Under Pressure
Michigan State heads into Wisconsin with its offense facing a new layer of uncertainty after the loss to Nebraska and the season-ending knee injury to leading rusher Cam Edwards. The Spartans have already had to navigate an up-and-down stretch, and now the challenge becomes even more immediate against a Wisconsin team coming off its largest comeback win in two decades against Penn State, a result that has given the Badgers fresh momentum at home.
For Michigan State, the timing is especially tricky because the backfield picture has shifted so suddenly, forcing the staff to reshuffle around Edwards absence. Wisconsins recent surge adds another test, and both coaches have acknowledged the stakes of where each team stands entering the matchup. The Spartans are trying to steady an offense under pressure, while the Badgers are leaning into a strong response after a dramatic victory that changed the tone around their season. [Read more 🡒]