Max Anderson & Kevin McGonigle in the AFL

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Peter Welch

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Oct 20, 2025, 12:00:14 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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Max Anderson is hitting .563/.720/1.313 (2.033 OPS) with 3 homers, 3 doubles, 8 walks and 4 Ks in 25 plate appearances for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League.  Anderson has played 4 games at 3B, none at 2B.
Reportedly his defense at 3B has been decent.

The average level of pitching in the AFL is probably around high-A so Anderson, who had a .740 OPS in AAA this year, should be beating up on the pitching in that league, but that's still impressive.  I like that he has more walks thank Ks.

Kevin McGonigle is hitting .280/.441/.440 with 4 doubles, 0 homers, 7 walks and 5 Ks in 34 PA for Scottsdale.
McGonigle has played 2 games at SS and 4 games at 3B.  He hasn't played any games at 2B.

I'm disappointed to hear that the Tigers seem to be leaning toward moving McGonigle from SS to 2B or 3B.
His value would be the highest if he stayed at SS.  Is his defense at SS that bad?

Peter

David Panian

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Oct 20, 2025, 1:35:40 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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It's probably more that they expect Javy Baez to be their starting shortstop next year and want McGonigle to have some flexibility in where they can play him. If he can play third competently, then  there's no need to sign or trade for a veteran third baseman, at least on a long-term deal. He may end up at shortstop if the Tigers feel they need to play Baez in center field.

Baez has two more years left on his contract at $24 million a year. He showed he can still play the position defensively at a high level — yes, with the occasional erratic throw to first base — and be a good hitter from time to time, so he's at the top of the shortstop depth chart for now. He certainly quieted talk of eating the rest of his contract.

David


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Mike Coveyou

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Oct 20, 2025, 1:47:33 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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Could we wish for Javy to take over CF full time?

I was a parker Meadows fan and he provided what I think might have been the most exciting Tiger moment in 2024, when he came to bat with two down in the 9th inning against the Padres and the Tigers down 3-0 and about to be swept,  Meadows grandslam to win that game was the highlight of the 2024 season. But I doubt he will ever learn to hit major league pitching consistently.

Mike Coveyou

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Peter Welch

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Oct 20, 2025, 5:14:40 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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Meadows is probably a placeholder until they think Max Clark is ready for a call-up.  

I’d give Meadows another chance while waiting for Clark.  Meadows missed spring training this year and the first several weeks of the season with the nerve issue in his bicep.  He never got going with the bat and then he got hurt again.  He had kind of a lost season.  I don’t think he’s as good as he was in the 2nd half of 2024.  That was probably small sample-size fluke but I don’t think he’s as bad as he was this year either.  If he can put up something like .680 OPS with good defense and baserunning that will be passable.

If Hinch only plays Meadows against righties I think Meadows might do ok.  
He should not bat against lefties at all.
Baez should play CF against lefties.

Peter



On Oct 20, 2025, at 1:47 PM, Mike Coveyou <mcov...@gmail.com> wrote:



Roger King

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Oct 20, 2025, 5:29:44 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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In a perfect world, I’d argue that only 5 hitters from the postseason roster should be guaranteed spots on the 2026 roster:

Dingler
Tork
Greene
Carpenter
Keith

Certainly Baez’s contract probably keeps him a lock for a roster spot and as David says, he did earn it with his play through most of the season and learning a new position and playing it well, etc.

So that’s 6.   

But I would hope management would go into the off-season not thinking anyone else is a lock except for maybe Jones returning as a valuable role player.

Should be wide open competition for the remaining spots, including hopefully some off-season acquisitions.


Paul Meloche

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Oct 20, 2025, 7:00:12 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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I agree with Roger. I'm not against bringing back others not listed, but they'd need to earn it and we'd be trying to find someone better in the meantime.

I also don't feel the guy's Roger listed are untouchable - if it can make the team better to win now then I'm listening to godfather offers for anyone on the ML roster.

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Peter Welch

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Oct 20, 2025, 7:54:51 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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Pretty sure management sees McKinstry as a lock as well.  He's a Hinch favorite.


Peter
From: Paul Meloche <meloc...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2025 6:59 PM
To: Roger King <pnag...@pnagency.com>
Cc: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>; detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Max Anderson & Kevin McGonigle in the AFL
 

Peter Welch

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Oct 20, 2025, 8:15:28 PM (5 days ago) Oct 20
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I hope that's the reason, but I've read that scouts think McGonigle isn't good enough defensively to play SS in the majors regularly and they expect him to play 2B or possibly 3B.  I hope they are wrong.

If McGonigle is average defensively at SS then I still think he's worth playing at SS.  Just because he doesn't field like a 21-year-old Alan Trammell doesn't mean McGonigle would be a liability at SS.  Is he that bad?

Who would be the alternative to McGonigle at SS in 2 years after Baez's contract expires?
Bryce Rainer is the Tigers next highest shortstop prospect, but realistically he's at least 3 years away.
The Tigers drafted a shortstop in the 1st round this year (18-year-old Jordan Yost), but he's at least 4-5 years away at a minimum.

Peter
From: David Panian <dpa...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2025 1:35 PM
To: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
Cc: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Max Anderson & Kevin McGonigle in the AFL

Sean Sweda

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Oct 21, 2025, 3:52:28 PM (4 days ago) Oct 21
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some recent analysis of McGonigle's defense here:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-scout-the-top-shortstop-prospects-defense-kevin-mcgonigle-jesus-made-carson-williams/


> On Oct 20, 2025, at 8:15 PM, Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I hope that's the reason, but I've read that scouts think McGonigle isn't good enough defensively to play SS in the majors regularly and they expect him to play 2B or possibly 3B. I hope they are wrong.
>
> If McGonigle is average defensively at SS then I still think he's worth playing at SS. Just because he doesn't field like a 21-year-old Alan Trammell doesn't mean McGonigle would be a liability at SS. Is he that bad?
>
> Who would be the alternative to McGonigle at SS in 2 years after Baez's contract expires?
> Bryce Rainer is the Tigers next highest shortstop prospect, but realistically he's at least 3 years away.
> The Tigers drafted a shortstop in the 1st round this year (18-year-old Jordan Yost), but he's at least 4-5 years away at a minimum.
>
> PeterFrom: David Panian <dpa...@gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, October 20, 2025 1:35 PM
> To: Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com>
> Cc: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: Max Anderson & Kevin McGonigle in the AFL
> It's probably more that they expect Javy Baez to be their starting shortstop next year and want McGonigle to have some flexibility in where they can play him. If he can play third competently, then there's no need to sign or trade for a veteran third baseman, at least on a long-term deal. He may end up at shortstop if the Tigers feel they need to play Baez in center field.
>
> Baez has two more years left on his contract at $24 million a year. He showed he can still play the position defensively at a high level — yes, with the occasional erratic throw to first base — and be a good hitter from time to time, so he's at the top of the shortstop depth chart for now. He certainly quieted talk of eating the rest of his contract.
>
> David
>
>
> On Mon, Oct 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM Peter Welch <pw...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Max Anderson is hitting .563/.720/1.313 (2.033 OPS) with 3 homers, 3 doubles, 8 walks and 4 Ks in 25 plate appearances for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League. Anderson has played 4 games at 3B, none at 2B.
> Reportedly his defense at 3B has been decent.
>
> The average level of pitching in the AFL is probably around high-A so Anderson, who had a .740 OPS in AAA this year, should be beating up on the pitching in that league, but that's still impressive. I like that he has more walks thank Ks.
>
> Kevin McGonigle is hitting .280/.441/.440 with 4 doubles, 0 homers, 7 walks and 5 Ks in 34 PA for Scottsdale.
> McGonigle has played 2 games at SS and 4 games at 3B. He hasn't played any games at 2B.
>
> I'm disappointed to hear that the Tigers seem to be leaning toward moving McGonigle from SS to 2B or 3B.
> His value would be the highest if he stayed at SS. Is his defense at SS that bad?
>
> Peter
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Peter Welch

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Oct 21, 2025, 5:32:08 PM (4 days ago) Oct 21
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Sounds like McGonigle's transition ability from glove to throw at SS isn't that good, and his arm isn't that strong on longer throws.  Maybe Javy Baez can work with him.  I guess if you don't have the natural athleticism/coordination to play SS effectively in the majors it's hard to overcome that.

It all comes down to who are the alternatives to McGonigle at SS when he joins the team.
Baez has 2 years remaining on his contract so I suppose Baez can cover SS for 2026 and 2027 (with McKinstry/Sweeney or somebody else backing up).

I think one reason the Tigers drafted Bryce Rainer last year and Jordan Yost this year is that don't see as McGonigle as their future regular SS.

What I'd like to see is the Tigers sign Bo Bichette to play SS so McGonigle can focus on 2B/3B, but Bichette will likely be too expensive for the Tigers and want too many years (he's 28).

Peter

From: detroit...@googlegroups.com <detroit...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Sean Sweda <sw...@ibl.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 3:52 PM
To: Tigers List <detroit...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Max Anderson & Kevin McGonigle in the AFL
some recent analysis of McGonigle's defense here:


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Michael W

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Oct 21, 2025, 5:57:44 PM (4 days ago) Oct 21
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Super interesting post, thank you!

If McGonigle has a poor transfer and essentially is double-clutching a lot, it seems like it would help him for any infield position to work on those things.  I would leave him at short and and try to help him with his issues.  If he can't stick in the end, those lessons will still be valuable at second base.  But if he can fix them, he would be a super valuable shortstop.

Michael

Peter Welch

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Oct 21, 2025, 11:32:24 PM (4 days ago) Oct 21
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Yeah, I hope they don't pigeon-hole McGonigle into 2B/3B and try to give him some coaching help at SS before giving up on him as a SS.
As I mentioned, Javy Baez might be a good mentor for him.

Peter

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Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 5:57 PM
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Peter Welch

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Oct 23, 2025, 7:11:17 PM (2 days ago) Oct 23
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Max Anderson is still hitting .500 with a 1.767 OPS for Scottsdale in the AFL.  He was 2-4 with a double and a walk today in Scottsdale's 12-3 win vs. Peoria.
Anderson played DH today.

Kevin McGonigle is now hitting .313 with a .983 OPS.  McGonigle continues to play a lot of 3B in the AFL.  He's played some shortstop as well, but hasn't played 2B yet.

23-year-old Tigers' infield prospect Jack Penney is hitting .318 with a .932 OPS for Scottsdale.   Penney hit .262/.382/.373 (.755 OPS) for West Michigan this year.
Penney was the Tigers' 5th-round pick from Notre Dame last year.

Peter

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Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 11:32 PM

Michael W

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Oct 23, 2025, 8:15:56 PM (2 days ago) Oct 23
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Context is important though.  Hitters are killing it in Arizona, just like last year.  

In a league with only 6 teams, there are 23 players with OPS over .900.   McGonigle's .983 OPS is only 11th best.    The pitching staffs are significantly made up of Class A+ and AA middle-relievers.  

And, of course we're talking about 30 or so plate appearances.  Still, better they are hitting well than not.

Michael

Peter Welch

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Oct 23, 2025, 8:27:37 PM (2 days ago) Oct 23
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Pitching must be pretty weak in the AFL, plus possibly hitter-friendly ballparks.

Nevertheless, at least Anderson and McGonigle are doing what they are supposed to be doing.

Peter
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2025 8:15 PM

Peter Welch

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Oct 23, 2025, 8:35:34 PM (2 days ago) Oct 23
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By the way, 27-year-old Tigers' knuckleballer Kenny Serwa is struggling in the AFL.  Serwa has a 12.79 ERA in 2 starts.
Somehow I don't think he's the next Steve Sparks.

Peter
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2025 8:15 PM
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