Tigers get best evidence yet for Kevin McGonigle Opening Day nod with AJ Hinch comments

Following the bread crumbs the Detroit Tigers have left throughout spring training, there's a growing belief that top prospect Kevin McGonigle will break camp to make the Opening Day roster. There have been hurdles placed in front of McGonigle throughout the spring, and he has cleared every one of them.

After starting Grapefruit League player on a heater, McGonigle has cooled over the past couple of weeks. Entering play on Thursday, he has two hits in his last 23 plate appearances. But even with those struggles, there are some encouraging takeaways. The 21-year-old has only struck out twice during that time span and he has drawn eight walks.

Pitches are starting to test McGonigle's patience, tempting him with pitches outside the strike zone, and he is laying off them. The results may not be evident by looking at his slash line over the past week, but Tigers' manager AJ Hinch is still impressed.

"A lot of balls away, too. We're getting closer and closer to the season style, where there's not a lot of free pitches. ... Scouting reports are starting to be paved a little bit. ... Young hitters are going to see a complete change."

Even with his struggles, Kevin McGonigle is making a case to be on the Tigers' Opening Day roster

It's certainly been notable that with each spring training roster cut, McGonigle has remained with the big league club. A week before Opening Day, now is the time when pitchers are truly putting their focus toward being ready for the start of the season. While that doesn't mean exact game plans for each team they face, they have a more defined approach.

With McGonigle, as is the case with most young hitters, veteran pitchers are seeing if they can't get away with pitches outside the strike zone. For the most part, McGonigle hasn't been biting. Surely, what the Tigers would like to see next is McGonigle identifying the pitches to attack in the strike zone and doing damage.

The latest spring training development with McGonigle is a reminder that there are going to be ebbs and flows to his production at the major league level. Pitchers have already adjusted, and it's time for him to adjust back. Ideally, that happens at the major league level, and he's able to stick to those adjustments, assuming he makes the Tigers' Opening Day roster.

Regardless, with Opening Day next Thursday, the impression is that the Tigers' top prospect has all but earned a roster spot.