Kevin McGonigle only got four hours of sleep before his big league debut. It turns out that was plenty.
The 21-year-old, ranked baseball’s No. 2 overall prospect, went 4-for-4 with two doubles in the Detroit Tigers’ 8-2 Opening Day win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Thursday.
He became just the second player in Tigers history and the 21st major leaguer since 1900 to record four hits in his MLB debut.
“Probably got around four hours of sleep last night,” McGonigle said. “But woke up feeling great, ready to go.”
Manager A.J. Hinch batted McGonigle sixth to ease him into the moment, but the Tigers jumped on Padres starter Nick Pivetta early and McGonigle came up with the bases loaded in the first inning. He pounced on the first pitch he saw, lining a double down the left field line to score two runs and give Detroit a 3-0 lead.
“I knew he was going up with something firm,” McGonigle said. “He threw it right in the spot I was looking at, and I was happy to pull it down the line.”
Two innings later, McGonigle fell behind 0-2 before battling back and crushing a 105.9 mph line drive off the wall for his second double. He also beat out an infield single with a sprint speed of 30.2 feet per second and added a ninth-inning single off the bench.
Hinch was impressed by how little the moment seemed to faze the rookie.
“He won’t be as nervous as that first at-bat,” Hinch said. “And if that’s the nervous version of him, we’re in for a fun year.”
Starter Tarik Skubal called McGonigle a special talent.
“He doesn’t need any help,” Skubal said. “He just needs to be Kevin, and he’s a really good baseball player. He proved it today.”
McGonigle joined Billy Bean as the only players in Tigers history with four hits in their MLB debut. The list of major leaguers to accomplish the feat includes Hall of Famers Willie McCovey, Kirby Puckett and Willie Keeler.
“I guess I have to start not sleeping before every game,” McGonigle said with a smile.
Leave Your Comment Here