The second-ranked MLB prospect, Kevin McGonigle, went to the Arizona Fall League to work on his defense with hopes of cracking the Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day roster in 2026. McGonigle, 21, is a shortstop, and his defense remains his only question mark, though he is turning heads with his offense in the AFL. His future outlook could resemble that of Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette if all goes well.
McGonigle plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions along with five other Tigers prospects, and together they’ve helped the club jump out to the top spot in the standings with a record of 18-8. The Scorpions have clinched a berth in the four-team playoff, which begins Nov. 13.
McGonigle’s standout moment in the AFL came against the Mesa Solar Sox on Nov. 4, when he went 4-for-5 with two home runs and a walk.
Tigers top prospect infielder Kevin McGonigle hit two home runs and went 4-for-5 with a walk for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the @MLBazFallLeague
McGonigle now has 4 home runs in the AFL! #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/Mcy6cyl6fi
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 4, 2025
The Tigers’ second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has been scorching in the desert with five home runs, 19 RBIs, three stolen bases, and a 1.248 OPS in 54 at-bats. McGonigle produced all season, leading qualified minor-league hitters with a wRC+ of 182. He began the year with the Low-A Lakeland Flying Tigers and ended it with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. McGonigle ranks second on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, trailing only Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Konnor Griffin.
McGonigle will compete for a spot on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster in spring training, and his chances could improve if Detroit doesn’t re-sign Gleyber Torres.
Infielder Max Anderson has been nearly as impressive as McGonigle. Also a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, Anderson, 23, started his season with Erie and finished it with Triple-A Toledo. He leads the AFL with a 1.491 OPS and also has four home runs and 12 RBIs. Anderson, the Tigers’ No. 9 prospect, draws comparisons to Blue Jays infielder Ty France and has shown versatility at second and third base. He led all Tigers minor leaguers with 88 RBIs in 504 at-bats last season.
Jack Penny is a utility infielder with experience at shortstop, second base, and third base. Penny, 23, was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and has split time between Lakeland and High-A West Michigan. He has one home run, seven RBIs, two stolen bases, and an .836 OPS in 51 AFL at-bats.
Kevin McGonigle draws a walk…and hustles it into a double. pic.twitter.com/DVfoGXCuQY
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) November 10, 2025
Kenny Serwa is an intriguing knuckleballer who throws two variations: a fast version ranging 82–86 mph and a slow one around 70. Serwa has had a long road to the Tigers, beginning at Division II St. Joseph’s College and later pitching in the Pioneer and American Association independent leagues. Serwa, 28, signed a minor-league deal with Detroit on Jan. 22, 2025. He pitched for High-A and Double-A clubs last season, posting 84 strikeouts in 118 innings with a 3.58 ERA. This fall, he’s logged 13 innings with 11 strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA for Scottsdale.
Dariel Freigo also took an unconventional route to the Tigers, playing Division II ball at Saint Leo University, then in the Frontier League and the Australian Baseball League. Freigo, 25, started the season in the Florida Complex League and ended it with High-A West Michigan. Across three levels, he threw 39 ⅔ innings with 43 strikeouts and a 1.82 ERA. His best AFL outing came in his debut — two scoreless innings with three strikeouts against Salt River on Oct. 8.
Carlos Lequerica pitched for FIU and Miami in college and signed with the Tigers as an undrafted free agent on July 18, 2023. Lequerica spent 2025 with West Michigan, recording 53 ⅔ innings, 42 strikeouts, and a 2.35 ERA. This fall, he’s thrown 11 innings with eight strikeouts and a 5.56 ERA.
The Scottsdale Scorpions will look to stay hot against the Salt River Rafters on Nov. 10 at 8:30 p.m. EST at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Kevin McGonigle Leads Talented Tigers Prospect Group In Arizona Fall League
Photo: 2025 MLB All-Star Week: Futures Game | Jamie Squire/GettyImages
