Detroit Tigers select Kevin McGonigle in Compensation Round A

Detroit Tigers draft Kevin McGonigle at 37th overall.

The Detroit Tigers have gone out and doubled down on the prep bats, who are noted as cold-weather bats. After taking Indiana native Max Clark with the third overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Tigers grabbed a prep infielder.

The Detroit Tigers found themselves another prep bat to fall in love with, opting to grab the Pennsylvania native, selecting Kevin McGonigle with the 37th overall pick as part of Compensation Round A. McGonigle established himself on the prep circuit, being a left-handed bat who has a lot to like with the bat, but the play-style just really is something that should pique the interest of the Tigers organization.

He showed a lot of exciting stuff on the prep and showcase circuits, being a Perfect Game All-American in 2022. He is committed to Auburn University, but the Tigers will bring him into the organization and steal him away from Auburn.

McGonigle said that he models his game after Chase Utley, who is one of his favorite players. He certainly is a gamey player who will be grimy all over the place. The hit tool is polished, and he can continue improving it as he gets settled into the Tigers organization.

He has a frame that projects with some improving athelticism and strength that showed an improvement this spring. The hope is that the power continues to come around in due time, but overall, the projection here is likely that of a middle-infielder. He is likely a second-baseman with some pop, but he could stick on the left side and let the contact carry the weight of his profile with improved athleticism.

Here's a look at McGonigle from last fall on the Perfect Game WWBA circuit.

He's a left-hander with a smooth operation. I like the smoothness of the swing; he loads up with the toe-tap and works through contact with a real fluid stroke through the zone. There's just plenty to like with McGonigle, and the Tigers hope to continue growing the profile here.

The Tigers continued their draft by grabbing McGonigle, and he's another prep player that the Tigers are banking on panning out. The defensive abilities seem extremely smooth, and he has a profile that certainly projects well.

The Tigers continue to build their draft class, starting with two left-handed hitting prep bats. Interesting since the rumors had the Tigers leaning toward collegiate bats being the focus early on.