Prospect Kevin McGonigle had a dream MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.
But Tigers manager A.J. Hinch opened up about McGonigle’s poise while he had four hits, two runs scored and drove in a pair of runs in his first big-league game, an 8-2 win over the San Diego Padres.
McGonigle only found out Wednesday he had made the Tigers and batted sixth for Detroit on opening day at Petco Park. His first-inning, two-RBI double helped stake ace lefty Tarik Skubal to a 4-0 advantage before he even took the hill, and he was dominant as usual.
AJ Hinch: Kevin McGonigle Was ‘Pretty Settled’ Before his First Big-League Game
McGonigle had not even participated in a game in Triple-A before stepping on the field in “The Show” on Thursday afternoon.
But Hinch, who played seven seasons in the majors and has managed both the Tigers and Houston Astros, was impressed with how the rookie handled himself throughout the day.
“I actually think he was pretty settled, even pregame,” Hinch said after the game. “I think it’s nice to admit you have a little bit of nerves, and you want your first [hit] out of the way, and that’s a big one to get in the first inning.”
McGonigle smacked the first pitch he saw from Padres starter Nick Pivetta to right field for a two-RBI double, which gave the Tigers a 3-0 advantage.
“I talked about making sure he hit in the second inning, and our boys got him up there in the first,” Hinch said. “He won’t be as nervous as that at-bat, and if that’s the nervous version of him, we’re in for a fun year.
“[I] like the fact he was aggressive on his pitch. Obviously a big hit to open up the game a little bit and give us some breathing room. That set the tone for a really good day for him and for us.”
Kevin McGonigle Was Nervous For his First Major-League Game
McGonigle was the youngest Tigers player to start on opening day in more than two decades, and he decided to adopt the fake-it-’til-you-make-it mindset.
But contrary to his manager’s perception, McGonigle was full of angst ahead of his first big-league game.
“It’s just another game,” McGonigle told reporters when asked of his mindset. “I was nervous, but it’s weird — I feel like right when I started my load to hit, it just went away. I felt great out there. Very confident. Looking to keep that same mindset going.”
The No. 2 overall prospect became just the sixth player since 1900 to register four hits in his major-league debut and the first since Delino DeShields for the Montreal Expos in 1990. He credited Hinch and his Tigers teammates with helping him get acclimated to the majors.
“Everyone’s been right by my side,” McGonigle said. “If I have any questions, everyone’s telling me to go to them. This is the team to be on right now, and I’m so happy I get to share this with these guys.”
Tigers’ A.J. Hinch Sends Strong Message on Kevin McGonigle’s Debut