All-Delco Baseball: Kevin McGonigle leaves All-American impact at Bonner-Prendie
UPPER DARBY — Kevin McGonigle never knew where the journey to baseball fulfillment would take him, only that it would require one successful leg at a time.
So, it began, first in the youth programs around Aldan, where he would come to be known as a talent to watch. Soon, there would be opportunities – and with those, stunning offensive numbers – in the national youth circuit. Eventually, there would be his chance to represent the nation. And by all means, there would be a high school career.
That, as it would happen, would be the kind that Delaware County sports fans will never forget. As his coach at Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High, Steve DeBarbarie, said, “It was pretty darn impressive.”
Impressive would be one description. Legendary might work. And following a senior season so remarkable that opposing coaches often chose to wave him to first rather than risk another extra-base hit, this applies too: The 2023 All-Delco Player of the Year, as selected by the sports staff of the Daily Times.
“That,” McGonigle said, “means a lot to me.”
Also selected as the 2022 Player of the Year, the senior shortstop was as smashing and more in the encore, batting .515 with eight doubles, four triples and six home runs – often at jaw-dropping distances – in 25 games. He registered a .680 slugging percentage, stole 15 bases, drew 32 walks and struck out only two times. That followed a season when he hit .506 with 11 home runs.
“We were fortunate enough to get to witness him for the last four years,” DeBarberie said. “He had 100 hits in a three-year career, and that’s incredible. He was the leading home run hitter in school history, and in many offensive categories.
“He is a generational talent.”
So has ruled the draft-a-razzi, which has listed the 5-11, 195-pound McGonigle as a likely first-round selection in the July 9 MLB draft for his arm, his clout and his 6.65 speed in the 60-yard sprint. Still listed as a shortstop, he also projects as a second baseman, and has regularly been likened in skill and playing style to Chase Utley.
The left-handed hitter helped the Friars finish 17-8 and inch to the PIAA Class 5A semifinals for the third consecutive season, a school standard destined to endure.
“I’m very proud of this team,” said McGonigle. “Coach Steve means so much to me and all of the other coaches mean so much to me. I have faith in these guys. I know they’ll be back next year and they’ll win.”
As for McGonigle, it will be off to the next leg in his baseball voyage. He was invited to the June 22 draft combine in Arizona, where clarity would be added to his value. Through his final three seasons on Lansdowne Ave., however, McGonigle has remained firm that his top priority would be to play for Auburn University, to which he had committed as a sophomore.
“I am focused on going and playing in the SEC,” McGonigle said. “It’s been a dream my whole life to go there and play.”
So, too, was it a strong desire for McGonigle to play an entire career at Bonner & Prendie, which is why he declined multiple overtures to transfer to private schools or warm-weather baseball academies.
“Last year, a lot of my best friends graduated from there and played baseball as well. I just wanted to go and win a PCL championship with them, and I got that chance,” McGonigle said. “That was the highlight of my baseball career. Amazing.”
There were other highlights, including being named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Also, he helped the USA win the gold medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation Under-18 World Cup last September in Florida. In 25 games for Team USA, McGonigle slugged .520 with two doubles, a triple and a home run.
“By far, that was the best baseball competition I have ever played against,” he said. “It was a lot of work, but I got to play with a lot of the top players in the nation and against some of the top kids in the world. It was a lot of fun and I was very, very proud to represent the USA.”
Just as he savored that experience, so did McGonigle enjoy every at-bat of his senior season at Bonner & Prendie.
“It was great to go out and play with my best friends,” he said. “I grew up with them, playing baseball for a long, long time. And just to go out and compete with them and practice every day with them is what I will always remember.
“To me, it always seemed like home. That’s the great thing about Bonner baseball: Once you are on a team, they will always have your back for the rest of your life. And that’s what I truly love about that organization.”
The appreciation went both ways.
“It’s really fun to play with him,” Friars third baseman Jaxon Kehoe has said. “I can’t say enough about him. He’s the best player I know in this country, and the best I have ever played with.”
McGonigle was a valuable teammate, too.
“Even bigger than what he did as a player was what kind of person he is, what kind of leader he is,” DeBarberie said. “He’s a culture-changing kid and he never made it about himself. It was always about the team. The kids loved playing with him and he took coaching extremely well. He’s just an ultimate competitor and an ultimate teammate.
“Looking back, we were very fortunate.”
