Tigers' Kevin McGonigle off to hot MLB start vs. Padres

Detroit Tigers' top prospect Kevin McGonigle isn't wasting any time showing he's ready for the major leagues.

The 21-year-old Tigers rookie is 5-for-8 over his first two games, including the decisive two-run single in his second outing. Now he will look to help Detroit pursue a season-opening three-game series sweep against the host San Diego Padres on Saturday night.

Detroit won 5-2 on Friday, and the left-handed-hitting McGonigle's go-ahead single with two outs in the eighth came during a 10-pitch at-bat against veteran left-hander Wandy Peralta. It followed up a four-hit debut in Thursday's 8-2 victory.

"Big spot and I was able to get the job done," McGonigle said afterward. "Just wanted to celebrate with the guys."

The shortstop/third baseman was nearly 6-for-8 over the two games but San Diego center fielder Jackson Merrill leaped above the fence to rob him of a homer in the second inning.

"We finally got him out," Padres manager Craig Stammen joked after the game. "We had to rob a homer."

McGonigle was ahead 2-1 in the count before fouling off five straight pitches against Peralta. After taking a changeup to make the count full, he jumped on Peralta's sinker and ripped it into right center to give Detroit a 4-2 lead.

"I threw a whole bunch of pitches there," Peralta said. "He got the pitch to get a hit. I give him all the (credit) in that at-bat."

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch wasn't surprised at McGonigle's ability to win the battle.

"There are some takes in there that get overlooked," Hinch said. "The ability to spoil tough pitches, fight off balls inside, and stay in the at-bat are some of the many reasons we love him."

McGonigle was selected 37th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. MLB Pipeline rates him as Detroit's No. 1 prospect and No. 2 overall behind Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin.

Last season, McGonigle had three minor league stops -- including Double-A Erie -- and combined to bat .305 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 88 games.

McGonigle earned a job with the Tigers by putting together a .411 on-base percentage in 20 spring-training games. He had 11 hits and walked 11 times.

Detroit's Jack Flaherty will face San Diego's Randy Vasquez in a battle of right-handers on Saturday.

Flaherty (8-15, 4.64 ERA in 2025) endured a rough season in 2025 despite having 188 strikeouts in 161 innings.

He served up 23 homers -- the third most of his career. Flaherty also struggled on the road, going 3-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 14 starts.

Flaherty, 30, lost to the Padres last April 22 when he gave up two runs and five hits over six innings in a 2-0 home loss. Flaherty struck out nine and walked none.

Overall, Flaherty is 2-2 with a 4.21 ERA in seven career starts against San Diego. At Petco Park, he's 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA in three starts.

Vasquez (6-7, 3.84 ERA) is in the No. 3 starter role at the outset for the Padres due to right-hander Joe Musgrove still recovering from his October 2024 Tommy John surgery.

Vasquez, 27, has started 46 games over the past two seasons and has a 10-14 record during that span.

Vasquez is 0-1 with a 14.54 ERA in two appearances (one start) against Detroit. He was roughed up for six runs in two-plus innings in a 6-4 road loss to the Tigers on April 21, 2025.

In a Sept. 7, 2023, relief appearance for the New York Yankees, Vasquez served up a two-run homer to Spencer Torkelson in a 10-3 loss.

--Field Level Media