Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle staking early All-Star claim

Infielder Kevin McGonigle has been a revelation for the Detroit Tigers since making his debut in March. The 21-year-old has adjusted well to the big leagues, batting .330 with a .951 OPS, two home runs and two triples (tied for the lead in the American League). 

Proving he's worth the eight-year, $150 million contract extension he signed earlier this month, McGonigle is making a strong early case to return home — to Pennsylvania — this summer for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. 

Kevin McGonigle is making an early case to be an All-Star

Despite his youth, McGonigle has played like a veteran. He is fourth in the American League in hitting, tied for third in doubles (11) and fourth in OPS (.951), behind Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

The Delaware County native is riding a 24-game on-base streak, the longest by a player 21 years old or younger since former Tigers star Al Kaline's 34-game streak in 1956, according to the Tigers. 

In 1956, Kaline would make his second of his 18 All-Star teams and hit .314 with a .913 OPS, 27 home runs, 128 RBI in 153 games. Kaline would also finish third in the MVP voting that season behind New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (second) and outfielder Mickey Mantle (first).

McGonigle has also been solid defensively, playing as the Tigers' primary shortstop and third baseman. In 18 games at shortstop (121 innings), he has no defensive runs saved and one error, while posting a 32 defensive runs saved and one error in 15 games (113 innings) at third base. 

Kevin McGonigle will have an uphill battle to make the American League All-Star team

Although McGonigle is producing at the plate, he may have a tough time making the All-Star team given the positions he plays. Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez will likely make his sixth straight All-Star team. He's tied for first in the American League in steals (11) and games (29). 

Shortstop is where McGonigle’s chances increase, as some of the top players in the game are off to cold starts. Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson is hitting .210 with a .767 OPS, while Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is hitting .220 with a .756 OPS. 

McGonigle’s main competition at shortstop is Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. (.294/.790), Cleveland's Brayan Rocchio (.278/.774) and Toronto's Andres Gimenez (.287/.781). 

If McGonigle makes the All-Star team, he'd be the first Tigers rookie since right-hander Mark “The Bird” Fidrych in 1976 to do so. Fidrych went 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA and 24 complete games in 250.1 innings that season, won the Rookie of the Year Award and finished second to Baltimore Orioles right-hander Jim Palmer in the Cy Young Award voting.