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Apr 15, 2026, 11:39 AM ET
DETROIT -- Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle became the latest young player to get a big-money deal, agreeing Wednesday to a $150 million, eight-year contract that starts in 2027.
An infielder who has started at third base and shortstop, McGonigle, 21, became the youngest Tigers player named to an Opening Day roster since Omar Infante in 2003. He had four hits in his major league debut on March 26 and entered Wednesday hitting .311 with one homer, eight RBIs and a .417 on-base percentage in 17 games.
McGonigle, ESPN's No. 2 prospect for the 2026 season, became the fourth top prospect to get a big-money deal since late March following a $140 million, nine-year contract for 19-year-old Pittsburgh shortstop Konnor Griffin; a $95 million, eight-year agreement for 20-year-old Seattle shortstop Colt Emerson; and a $50.75 million, eight-year pact for 21-year-old Milwaukee shortstop Cooper Pratt.
McGonigle has a one-year contact for 2026 paying the $780,000 minimum while in the major leagues and $127,100 while in the minors.
His new deal calls for a $14 million signing bonus, including $8 million payable within 30 days of the contract's approval by Major League Baseball and $6 million on March 31, 2028. He gets salaries of $1 million next year, $7 million in 2028, $16 million in 2029, $21 million in 2030, $22 million in 2031 and $23 million each in 2032, 2033 and 2034.
Escalators could increase his salaries in the final three seasons, capped at $25 million in 2032, $26 million in 2033 and $28 million in 2034. The escalators, based on accomplishments starting in 2026, are $2 million for winning an MVP, $1 million for finishing second through fifth in voting, $500,000 for sixth through 10th, $500,000 for making the All-MLB first or second team, $250,000 for being elected or selected an All-Star and $250,000 for winning a Silver Slugger.
He would get a $5 million assignment bonus each time he is traded.
McGonigle's deal covers the first three seasons after he would have been eligible for free agency.
McGonigle was selected by the Tigers 37th overall in the 2023 amateur draft out of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. He had a hot spring that allowed him to skip Triple-A after playing in just 46 games in Double-A last season.
He has reached base in 13 consecutive starts and 15 of 16 games. He is one of only 10 players in the major leagues with more walks (11) than strikeouts (eight) among players with at least 11 walks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
