Daily Times Player of the Year Kevin McGonigle has decided to skip a commitment to Auburn University and sign a professional contract with the Detroit Tigers on Friday.
A Bonner-Prendergast High graduate, McGonigle was the Philadelphia Catholic League MVP for his senior season. A shortstop by trade who perhaps projects as a second baseman, McGonigle, an Aldan native, also was the 2023 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year.
He had maintained through various recent interviews that he was working hard with the intention of heading to Auburn. Yet the Tigers, who took him as a supplemental pick in the first round, 37th overall, in the MLB Draft earlier this month, signed him for $2.85 million. His drafting position had carried a $2.309M value.
McGonigle tweeted a photo of him in a Tigers uniform Friday, with the message, “Dream come true! Let’s get to work.@tigers”
McGonigle, 18, had helped the Friars to a run through the PIAA Class 5A tournament, which they eventually lost in the semifinal round to Shaler High.
McGonigle hit .515 in 25 games as a Bonner-Prendie senior, with eight doubles, four triples and six home runs. He stole 15 bases and struck out only twice. Had to opted to go to Auburn he would not have been eligible to go back into the draft for another three years.
