McGonigle Slump

[Peter Welch]

Kevin McGonigle is in his first slump as a Tiger.  McGonigle is hitting .227/.358/.250 (.608 OPS) in the past 2 weeks and .256/.374/.333 (.707 OPS) in the past month.

The OBA is still good, but he's not hitting for any power and not getting a lot of hits period of late. No reason to panic, but I think it was unrealistic to expect a rookie hitter not to have struggles, even one as talented as McGonigle.  Opposing pitchers have a better scouting report on McGonigle now so it's up to him to counter-adjust.

And just from the eye test, it seems like McGonigle is getting a little anxious to "do something" so he's going after some pitches he probably should lay off.

The problem with McGonigle slumping is that the Tigers are so dependent on McGonigle (and Greene) to provide about the only offense in the lineup (with occasional help from Dingler and Keith), that if McGonigle or Greene slump then the offense is totally screwed.   

Peter

[Roger King]

I’m sure he already feels the pressure to do something to get the key hit/RBI and get the Tigers out of their slump. 

Basically, if you’ve been a hitter on the Detroit Tigers from about mid August last year until the present, you have felt this pressure at one time or another! 

Roger King
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[Paul Meloche]

Speaking of Greene, he's now leading the AL in batting average and has an OPS well over 900. This with only four home runs so far. He does have 15 doubles, which if he keeps up this pace will easily end up being a career high for a season by EOY.

And has been mentioned several times on here, he's also well on his way to a career high in walks and his Ks have fallen back to 2024 levels.

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[Peter Welch]

McGonigle just might have had his worst AB of the season.  

He took the first 2 pitches for balls, but then started swinging like Javy Baez at everything.  I think he's pressing trying to create something.

Now it seems like Riley Greene is starting to slump.  I wouldn't give him anything to hit if I were an opposing pitcher.  If you walk Greene and/or McGonigle, you will probably get out of the inning with no damage.  The rest of this Tigers' lineup is even worse than the 2003 Tigers.  They don't scare anyone.

Peter

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From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 1:15 PM
To: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: McGonigle Slump

 

[Roger King]

Didn't Riley get on base like 6 or 7 times in a row to start the series?

This game was supposed to be on the MLB network so I was going to watch while working.  Instead, they are running some mini-documentary about the 90's Cleveland team.  I thought, just as well...given the Tigers still can't score.  Who wants to watch more of that?  Last time I checked, it was 2-0 Cleveland in the 6th.

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[Peter Welch]

Yes, just talking about yesterday and today.  Greene has gone 1 for his last 7.  That just seems like a slump since Greene has been so good.

We're so dependent on Greene, if he goes 1-4 or 0-4 we're screwed.  Nobody covers for him.  It's not fair on him to expect him to have multiple hits or multiple walks every game.

Greene also just had bad luck as he hit a sinking ball toward the LF corner that Angel Martinez ran down and made a tumbling catch on.  If it had fallen in it was probably a double.  So now Greene is getting crappy luck.  Sigh.

McGonigle did have a single and a walk in his first 2 AB today, but that 3^rd AB was very uncharacteristic of him.  I just think he's trying to make something happen and is getting frustrated by his lack of extra-base hits.

Dingler also had a godawful AB after McGonigle struck out.  Cantillo had them chasing.  

I know Cleveland has decent pitching, but we make them all look like future Hall of Famers.

Peter

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From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Roger King <pnag...@pnagency.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2026 2:44 PM
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Subject: Re: McGonigle Slump

 

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[Peter Welch]

Getting harder and harder to watch the product on the field.  I guess we should just enjoy the occasional good pitching.

Nice start from Mize today.  His ERA is down to 2.51.  He's going to get a nice contract after this season from another team.  I bet the Braves sign him.

Peter

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Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2026 2:44 PM
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Subject: Re: McGonigle Slump

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[Peter Welch]

Colt Keith led off the 7^th with a walk, but McKinstry and Vierling both struck out, and then Guardians brought in lefty Tim Herrin to face McGongle.

McGonigle swung at the first pitch which was a ball low and inside and grounded out.  Sigh.

Peter

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Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2026 2:53 PM
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Subject: Re: McGonigle Slump

 

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