Consistency pays off for Tigers' Kevin McGonigle with Rookie of the Year honor

Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle had a great first year in the big leagues, leading the American League in bWAR (7.1) and the Tigers in runs scored (97). He was rewarded on Monday night when he was voted the American League Rookie of the Year.

McGonigle became the sixth member of the Tigers — Mark Fidrych, Michael Fulmer, Harvey Kuenn, Justin Verlander and Lou Whitaker are the others — to win the award named after Jackie Robinson. McGonigle received 28 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, while Guardians left-hander Parker Messick finished second with two first-place votes and 122 points. Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle finished third with 54 points.  

Kevin McGonigle showed what he could do from the start

The fun for McGonigle’s started on Day 1 of the regular season. It was March 26 against the Padres. He made his Major League debut and went 4-for-5 with two runs scored in an 8-2 victory. He became the second player in Tigers history (Billy Bean is the other)  — and the 21st Major Leaguer since 1900 — with a four-hit game. 

By April, McGonigle signed an eight-year, $150 extension and went on to have an all-star season, slashing .278/.376/.430  with 18 homers and 72 RBIs. McGonigle never went into a prolonged slump. One of his best months came in September when he went 28-for-94 (.298) with four homers and 14 RBIs. McGonigle credits his mental approach as to why he was consistent in the batter’s box. 

“You are playing as a team. I’m trying to play my part and help this team as much as I can,” McGonigle said in a conference call. “I think that drives me every day to show up, play as hard as I can each pitch and at-bat. On the days you are tired, you have to go out, lace the cleats up and go out for the guys in the clubhouse and the organization.”  

According to the BBWAA website, McGonigle played sparkling defense at shortstop (675 ⅔ innings in 96 games) and third base (644 innings in 94 games). In fact, according to Fielding Bible, he ranked third on the Tigers in defensive runs saved (10).

The only other former winner so equally divided in positions played was the Yankees’ Tony Kubek in 1957 with 297 ⅓ innings in 41 games at shortstop and 303 innings in 38 games at third base. Kubek also played 31 games (228 innings) in left field and 22 games (130 ⅔ innings) in center field. 

“Obviously, there is a lot more I want to accomplish with the team and see what else can happen in my career,” McGonigle said. "To put in all the hard work and to see it pay off, … it’s a really big moment for me. It's paying off."