AJ Hinch's comments on Kevin McGonigle opened the door for Tigers fans' dream

The Detroit Tigers have left breadcrumbs throughout spring training that top prospect Kevin McGonigle has a strong chance of making the Opening Day roster. McGonigle's performance has also helped his cause, and while there are reasons it may not happen, the argument for it happening is getting louder every day.

The latest breadcrumb may have been the most revealing. Between using McGonigle in their first lineup of spring training and a lineup that sure looked like an Opening Day preview, A.J. Hinch has clearly been making sure that the 21-year-old infielder is ready for the moment that is in front of him.

That was the premise of Hinch's latest evaluation of McGonigle, while also confirming the expectation remains for him to be a contributor on the Tigers' major league roster at some point during the 2026 season.

"He's getting a good look to see where he's at amongst players he's never played around or played with, and he's holding his own, he's a tremendously talented player," Hinch told MLB Network. "He's going to be a big leaguer at some point, whether that's opening day or whether that's in the season is to be determined."

It sure sounds like Kevin McConigle is checking each box in the quest to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster

Spring training is not going to replicate the matchups that McGonigle is going to see during the regular season, but for the hurdles in front of him in anticipation of making the Opening Day roster, he has cleared each one.

McGonigle has six hits through his first 17 plate appearances this spring. Perhaps most importantly, he also looks the part at shortstop. In a season where the emphasis is on making sure the Tigers make the most out of what could be Tarik Skubal's final year in Detroit, there's no reason for McGonigle not to be on the Opening Day roster.

It would be a different story if McGonigle were struggling during spring training. The Tigers could then make the argument that he would be best served getting comfortable against Triple-A pitching before emerging as an option during the regular season.

But McGonigle is already comfortable; Hinch's comments are proof of that. It's time to not be afraid to say the thing out loud: McGonigle should be on the Opening Day roster.