How Kevin McGonigle’s move will help Detroit Tigers forget last season’s regular-season collapse originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Tigers averted the biggest collapse in MLB history last season.

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When they dropped a 5-1 decision to the Cleveland Indians on Sept. 25, 2025, it marked the Tigers’ fifth-straight defeat to their chief AL Central rival. The Tigers fell from first place, capping a staggering two-month decline. In early July, they held a 15.5-game lead over the Indians, who, despite the long odds, climbed back into contention and claimed the division title.

The Tigers, who saved face by qualifying for the postseason via wild card, failed to execute fundamentally throughout a sloppy final stretch. The Indians’ late-season rally marked MLB’s biggest deficit overcome to claim a pennant. The previous record was developed in 1914 when the Boston Braves rallied from 15 games back.

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Will the Tigers forget about the final weeks of 2025?

Can rookie Kevin McGonigle, who on Tuesday learned he will make the Opening Day roster, help maintain a grander level of consistency, erasing those recent memories?

Detroit Tigers giving Kevin McGonigle chance  

Fundamentals were a missing ingredient from the Tigers’ final-month performances, lowlighted by losing 12 of 13 at one point. Mental lapses replaced instinctive reactions. Slumps limited the lineup.

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McGonigle’s addition could help improve the team’s on-field consistency in 2026. The Tigers on Tuesday announced MLB’s No. 2-ranked prospect will travel to San Diego for Thursday’s Opening Day festivities.

McGonigle likely will compete on the left side of the Tigers’ infield, predominantly splitting time with Javy Baez at shortstop and Colt Keith at third base.

Solidifying his place in the Tigers’ near-future plans, McGonigle opened the Arizona Fall League with a .404 batting average with four home runs and a 1.251 OPS in his opening 15 games. He earned MVP honors. His consistency carried into spring training.

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McGonigle, 21, proved himself against the Dominican Republic’s Luis Severino, homering on the first pitch of the World Baseball Classic exhibition game.

The swing proved to be one of spring training’s most memorable moments.

It failed to erase the end of 2025, though.