Kevin McGonigle's rise all but guarantees former top prospect's departure in 2026

Kevin McGonigle, the Detroit Tigers' No. 1 prospect and 2023 supplemental first-round pick, has accelerated faster than expected. His advanced approach at the plate, consistent contact skills and improving defense have positioned him as a cornerstone-caliber middle infielder.

McGonigle hit .305 with 19 home runs, 59 walks and 46 strikeouts across 88 games in 2025, including 36 games for High-A West Michigan and 46 games for Double-A Erie. He has experience at second base and shortstop, and he's currently getting reps at third base in the Arizona Fall League. He will have the door open for him at any of those positions with the Tigers in 2026.

What’s most impressive about McGonigle is how complete his game already looks for his age. He’s not just surviving at higher levels; he’s excelling. President of baseball operations Scott Harris has already teased McGonigle's invitation to Major League spring training, and scouts and team evaluators now view him as a legitimate everyday player who could claim a starting role by mid-2026 – perhaps sooner.

McGonigle’s emergence within the Tigers organization is one of those developments that quietly reshapes a team’s long-term depth chart – and in this case, it likely spells the end of fellow infield prospect Trey Sweeney’s tenure in Detroit by 2026.

Trey Sweeney becomes odd man out in Tigers' infield after Kevin McGonigle's rise

McGonigle's steady rise has forced the Tigers to rethink their infield hierarchy. Between Colt Keith locking down third base and Spencer Torkelson manning first, there’s little room for developmental placeholders. McGonigle’s ascent effectively closes the window for fringe or stopgap options like Sweeney, who was already on shaky ground as a bench or platoon candidate.

Sweeney, acquired from the New York Yankees as part of a depth-building move, never fully solidified his role in Detroit. His bat hasn’t developed enough to justify everyday reps, and his defensive profile – a corner infielder with limited range – doesn’t fit the Tigers’ growing emphasis on athleticism and versatility.

With McGonigle offering both a higher ceiling and positional flexibility, Sweeney becomes redundant. The Tigers’ front office under Harris has shown little hesitation to move on from players who no longer fit the roster puzzle, especially when younger, homegrown talent is ready to take over.

McGonigle’s rise represents something larger – namely, the Tigers' transition from a rebuilding team hoarding prospects to a contender shaping a refined core. In that kind of environment, utility players without standout traits – like Sweeney – are often the first casualties. By the time the Tigers finalize their 2026 roster, McGonigle’s presence will make it hard to justify keeping Sweeney on the 40-man, let alone in the lineup.

Unless he shows dramatic offensive improvement or finds a niche role elsewhere, Sweeney’s time in Detroit is almost certainly nearing its end – a victim of the organization’s evolution and McGonigle’s undeniable rise.