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Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers is having an impressive start to the 2026 MLB season, drawing comparisons to Joe DiMaggio. The 21-year-old rookie is a strong contender for both AL Rookie of the Year and MVP.
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle is putting up Joe DiMaggio-esque numbers so far this year originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Tigers are 15-14 to begin the 2026 MLB season, and things likely would be a whole lot worse if it weren't for Kevin McGonigle.
The 21-year-old rookie infielder has been one of the best players in the Major Leagues this year, and it's not hyperbole either. He's not just making a case for AL Rookie of the Year, but MVP as well.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale highlighted one of the reasons why: McGonigle, heading into the weekend of April 25 and 26, was having a Joe DiMaggio-esque start to the season.
"Just how impressive is Tigers rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle's start?" Nightengale writes. "He entered the weekend with 30 hits, 10 doubles and just 14 strikeouts in his first 25 games, the first 21-year-old to produce those numbers since Joe DiMaggio in 1936."
Detroit has seen McGonigle put together a remarkable start to his MLB career. Those were the numbers for McGonigle entering the weekend, and now, following that weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds, his numbers look even better.
Through 28 games this season, across 123 plate appearances, McGonigle has 35 hits, 22 runs scored, 11 doubles, two triples (most in AL), two home runs, 12 RBIs, two stolen bases, 16 walks, 15 strikeouts, a .330 average, and a .951 OPS.
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Kevin McGonigle has been one of the top players in the Major Leagues this season, showcasing outstanding performance that has drawn comparisons to Joe DiMaggio.
McGonigle is not only making a strong case for AL Rookie of the Year but is also being considered for the MVP award due to his exceptional play.
Joe DiMaggio is a legendary figure in baseball, known for his incredible hitting streaks and overall excellence, making comparisons to him a significant accolade for any player.
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Those are some incredible numbers, but that's far from the story for McGonigle this year. The most interesting number is his bWAR through 28 games, which is an MLB-best 2.0 to begin the year.
Going by bWAR, McGonigle has been the most valuable player in the Major Leagues this season. His presence at the plate, his defense, and his baserunning have made him arguably the most valuable player in baseball in 2026 so far.
McGonigle had a DiMaggio-esque start to the season, and he's still playing at a high level. Things could get even better for the Tigers' rookie, as he's putting together what could shape up into being an all-time rookie season.