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Devin Fitz-Gerald Is Off To A Kevin McGonigle Like Start At High A
TL;DR
Devin Fitz-Gerald, a 20-year-old infielder, has excelled at High A Wilmington, hitting .333 with a .982 OPS and 2 home runs in 13 games. His performance draws comparisons to Kevin McGonigle, who was a standout at the same level last season.
Key points
- Devin Fitz-Gerald is hitting .333 with a .982 OPS at High A Wilmington.
- He has 2 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 13 games.
- Fitz-Gerald's performance is compared to Kevin McGonigle's last season.
- Only 2 other 20-year-olds have a 180 wRC+ at High A.
- Fitz-Gerald's swing decisions are strong, with an 88th-percentile wOBA.
Devin Fitz-GeraldKevin McGonigleWashington NationalsDetroit Tigers
The Nationals were aggressive with their assignment of Devin Fitz-Gerald this season, sending the 20-year-old infielder straight to High A Wilmington after just 10 games at Low A in 2025 with the Rangers. So far through 13 games, the youngster from the MacKenzie Gore trade has been even better than advertised, hitting .333 with a .982 OPS and 2 home runs, even swiping 10 bags in the process. The switch-hitting youngster hasnât looked overmatched at all and is actually reaching even higher highs than he achieved in 2025.
The numbers Fitz-Gerald is putting up at High A for his age arenât unprecedented, but they are rare. Only 2 other 20-year-olds also currently have at least a 180 wRC+, those being Caleb Bonemor of the White Sox and Wyatt Sanford of the Pirates, and Fitz-Gerald has the cleanest batted ball profile of the three. In 2025, only 3 20-year-olds with at least 60 plate appearances had a 180 wRC+ or higher at High A; George Lombard Jr., a Yankees shortstop prospect and a consensus top 50 prospect; Josue Briceno, a Tigers catching prospect and top 50 prospect; and Kevin McGonigle, the Tigersâ major league shortstop and a consensus top 2 prospect in baseball.
The prospect I want to compare Fitz-Gerald to for now is McGongile, who fast-tracked his way through the minor leagues last season and cracked the Tigersâ big league roster in 2026, where he is raking to the tune of a .892 OPS. McGonigle wasnât just the best 20-year-old at High A in 2025; he was the best hitter period, with his 215 wRC+ in 171 plate appearances leading all High A hitters. His swing decisions were elite, with a 95th percentile whiff rate, 98th-percentile strikeout rate, and 74th-percentile walk rate, and the result was a 100th-percentile wOBA of .469.
In regard to Fitz-Gerald, while he isnât quite at McGonigle level as of now, he isnât far off either. His swing decisions have also been great, with an 85th-percentile whiff rate, 95th-percentile strikeout rate, and 65th-percentile walk rate, resulting in an 88th-percentile wOBA of .425. Both Fitz-Gerald and McGonigle have patient plate approaches, with Fitz-Gerald swinging 42% of the time at High A and McGonigle 46%, and the result is both taking their fair share of walks and doing damage when they get their pitches.
Q&A
What are Devin Fitz-Gerald's current statistics at High A Wilmington?
Devin Fitz-Gerald is hitting .333 with a .982 OPS, 2 home runs, and 10 stolen bases in 13 games.
How does Devin Fitz-Gerald's performance compare to Kevin McGonigle's?
While Fitz-Gerald isn't quite at McGonigle's level yet, he has impressive swing decisions and an 88th-percentile wOBA of .425, indicating strong potential.
Who are the other 20-year-olds with a 180 wRC+ at High A?
Caleb Bonemor of the White Sox and Wyatt Sanford of the Pirates are the other two 20-year-olds currently achieving a 180 wRC+ at High A.
What factors contribute to Devin Fitz-Gerald's success at High A?
Fitz-Gerald's success can be attributed to his patient plate approach, strong swing decisions, and a high percentage of contact, reflected in his advanced wOBA.
