The Detroit phenom eclipsed a century-old franchise mark for plate discipline, cementing a historic campaign that places his production alongside legends as he chases a rare power-speed milestone.
What can’t Kevin McGonigle do?
The rookie phenom has stepped up to the plate in Detroit, literally and metaphorically. He has taken the ebbs and flows that come with being a highly touted rookie and calmly handled everything his first season has thrown at him with unprecedented composure. McGonigle has shown a willingness to look fear dead in the face and rip it apart.
McGonigle has been shattering rookie records from every corner of the MLB stat books. He appears to be the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year, cementing his name in households across the nation by breaking records once held by Aaron Judge before the All-Star break. Then came the extremely warm welcome Philadelphia fans gave McGonigle at the Midsummer Classic, and suddenly, his name was reaching homes everywhere.
With a baby face and a grown man's swing, McGonigle has stormed into the hearts of Tigers fans everywhere. And this hasn't been a flash in the pan.
McGonigle has continued to rise above the water seemingly every day, despite playing on a lowly Tigers team that is slowly fading into the abyss.
Now, McGonigle is back with another Tigers rookie record.
This time, he's claiming the most walks by a Tigers rookie since 1922.
In that 104-year span, no Tigers rookie had walked more than 71 times. That record belonged to Steve Kemp, who drew 71 walks during his rookie season in 1977. Kemp spent his first five seasons with the Tigers before finishing his career with the Yankees, Rangers, White Sox and Pirates.
The rookie record stood for nearly 50 years, but before Kemp could pop his 50th-anniversary champagne, McGonigle snatched it away.
McGonigle currently sits at 79 walks this season, breaking the Tigers rookie record since 1922 by eight walks with 29 games remaining on the schedule.
His ability to get on base is exactly what has fans gushing over the rookie.
McGonigle has a robotic look to him when he steps into the batter's box, analyzing triple-digit fastballs within milliseconds and showing a plate discipline that puts him on par with some of the best hitters in the game.
He's currently on pace for 7.4 WAR, which would be the second-most WAR ever by a position player in MLB history. McGonigle has also become just the eighth rookie position player age 21 or younger ever to record 6+ bWAR.
It's been a truly historic rookie campaign to witness, and there is still time for McGonigle to chase even more records.
No Tigers rookie has ever hit 15 home runs while stealing 15 bases. McGonigle currently sits at 14 home runs and 12 stolen bases, putting another piece of Tigers history well within reach over the final 29 games.
And if his rookie season has shown anything, it's that McGonigle seemingly never stops chasing records simply by playing baseball the way he always has.
He may be chasing more history, but for now, McGonigle has officially stamped his name atop the walk record for Tigers rookies since 1922.
Most Walks by a Tigers Rookie Since 1922
- Kevin McGonigle — 79
- Steve Kemp — 71
- Barney McCosky — 70
- Jason Thompson — 68
- Steve Boros — 68
- Topper Rigney — 68
- Roy Johnson — 67
- Johnny Groth — 65
- Bobby Higginson — 62
- Bill Tuttle — 62
