Kevin McGonigle's breathtaking at-bat just announced his Tigers All-Star campaign

For anyone who thought the kid wasn’t ready ... it’s early but it may be time to eat crow. What an at-bat Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle put together on Friday night against the San Diego Padres! That’s the kind of moment that makes one believe the 21-year-old is already on an All-Star trajectory even just two games into the season.

The 10-pitch at bat McGonigle took Wandy Peralta on a ride for was truly something to behold. Look at how patient McGonigle was laying off tough changeups below the zone, fighting off pitches right on the corner. He was going up against a tough southpaw in Peralta had a 3.14 ERA in 71 appearances last season, and looked like a 10-year veteran at the dish. 

Kevin McGonigle follows up Tigers' Opening Day hype with game-winning hit

He drove in the go-ahead run and the Tigers piled on a bunch more, winning the game comfortably 8-2. McGonigle now has five hits in eight at-bats, including two doubles to start his big league career and has already driven in four runs. The hype seems to be real, folks.

It’s hard to overstate how impressive this is from a guy who has had such high expectations placed upon his shoulders. It’s not as if he’s an exciting young prospect debuting on a rebuilding team where he’s afforded the chance to grow and make mistakes without the pressure of trying to make the playoffs.

No, he was promoted to a Detroit team that is in win-now mode. The Tigers made the playoffs each of the last two seasons and assembled a dangerous starting rotation this offseason. It’s not exactly World Series or bust for this group, but the fact that fans can seriously think about that as the end goal speaks to how lofty the expectations are for this group.

While it’s not like the Tigers would have demoted McGonigle if he got off to a rough start, they wouldn't have just let him figure things out for months if the results were not there. Thankfully for Detroit, it does not seem like the team will have to worry too much on that front.

Surely there are going to be growing pains. There are for every rookie. But McGonigle seems uniquely suited to grow and adapt and learn quicker than your typical first-year player.

Maybe it’s overreacting, but an All-Star nod does not feel out of the question for McGonigle. Neither does projecting a contract extension. For those holding off on buying a jersey to wait and see how the kid pans out, it may be time to act because they will probably all be sold out soon. Expect to see a lot of No. 7’s all over Detroit.