ARLINGTON, TX – Detroit Tigers rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle was named to his first MLB All-Star Game on Saturday, July 4.
To make this even sweeter for him, the 2026 All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 14 (8 p.m., Fox) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
In McGonigle’s hometown.
At the stadium where he used to go watch the Phillies, wearing a jersey and hat – “All the stuff,” he said.
He used to dream of going to an All-Star Game in Philly. Not as a player. As a fan.
So this?
“It’s really special,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words. It’s just super-exciting, and looking forward to seeing a lot of family and friends as well.”
Actually, this is yet another remarkable achievement for a talented 21-year-old (and the fourth Tiger 21 or younger to make the Midsummer Classic, following Mark Fidrych in 1976, Al Kaline in 1955-56 and Hal Newhouser in 1942).
McGonigle, a first-round pick of the Tigers in 2023 who skipped the Triple-A level, was invited to spring training, but he was given no guarantees of making the Tigers. In fact, he was given a portable locker – the kind used by players who are typically cut.
But he made the team.
“It’s cool to look back,” he said. “A year ago I was in High-A or just getting called up to Double-A at some point,” McGonigle said. “It’s really cool that I’m living out my dream right now with a great group of guys, and it wouldn’t be this easy without the guys in this clubhouse.”
On Opening Day, he hit an RBI double in his first major league at-bat. By the time he finished, he had four hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs.
Just 18 days into his career, the Tigers signed him to an eight-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $150 million.
Halfway through his first season, he has been, simply, remarkable.
Then, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch made the All-Star announcement in the clubhouse.
“I was nervous knowing that the meeting was about that, still wondering if I was going to make it or not,” McGonigle said. “It was very nerve-wracking, but once he announced my name, it was a really special moment.”
Entering Thursday, McGonigle (4.4 bWAR, per Baseball Reference) and Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. (4.5 bWAR) were the only two shortstops in the American League with a bWAR greater than 2.4. (Witt won the fan vote to start, beating out finalist Andrés Giménez of Toronto.)
“I think this kid’s built different,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He can handle a lot thrown at him, and this is going to be another thing that’s thrown at him that’s unique. I mean, who gets to go home as a 21-year-old and celebrate their first All-Star game on the field with a lot of guys that he looked up to and that he looked to be like one day, and now he’s peers with him. But he can handle it. He’s going to be excited. He’s going to be intense. I still think it’s hitting him right now with calling family and letting them know that he’s coming home to one of the biggest events that Philly’s going to host, really, unless they make the World Series. So, I’m very proud of how he goes about his business, and how he handles the attention and the expectations that grow day by day with him.”
McGonigle joins Greene and catcher Dillon Dingler as Tigers All-Stars in 2026.
“He’s kept a pretty level head,” Hinch said. “As guys get more attention and get a little bit more comfortable at this level, it’s easy to ease off the things that have gotten you here, and he doesn’t. I mean, he’s as competitive today as he was the first day trying to make this team, and he’s handled the onslaught of media attention, fan attention on the field, off the field. We’re hitting him at the top of the order. He’s getting no rest. We’ve thrown a lot at this kid, and he’s stayed very, very true to what has gotten him here, and what he’s all about.”
In 2025, the Tigers had six players in the All-Star Game, including three starters selected by fan vote – outfielders Javier Báez and Riley Greene and second baseman Gleyber Torres – one position player reserve – Zach McKinstry – and two pitchers – Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal (who started the game for the AL).
Contact Jeff Seidel at jseidel@freepress.com or follow him @seideljeff.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle makes 2026 MLB All-Star Game
