Kevin McGonigle crushes 1st MLB home run for Detroit Tigers

Kevin McGonigle finally has his first home run in the major leagues.

McGonigle, the Detroit Tigers’ sensational rookie, blasted a ball 408 feet to deep right field off Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcántara on Sunday, April 12, at Comerica Park, giving the Tigers a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning.

McGonigle hit the ball with a 108.8 mph exit velocity.

Alcántara, the 2022 National League Cy Young award winner, threw him a first-pitch 97 mph four-seam fastball.

Celebrate Kevin McGonigle on Tigers with this Free Press print

McGonigle, in his 16th game this season, is hitting .310, behind only Colt Keith on the Tigers. McGonigle has six doubles.

“Fly ball, right field, deep, got a chance, No. 1 for Kevin McGonigle!” Dan Dickerson said on the TV broadcast.

McGonigle previously twice crushed a ball to the wall earlier this season, only to result in a loud out.

Against the San Diego Padres in his second MLB game March 27, McGonigle was robbed of a home run in center field by Jackson Merrill. He hit the ball 403 feet, connecting for a 104.2 mph exit velocity.

In his first at-bat in the Tigers’ home opener April 3, against the St. Louis Cardinals, McGonigle again smashed a ball 403 feet, with a 103.5 mph exit velo to the warning track in left-center. It would have been a home run in 12 MLB parks − but not at Comerica Park.

Celebrate Kevin McGonigle’s MLB debut with this Detroit Free Press print

McGonigle’s Opening Day debut is worth framing and the Free Press has a page print for you.

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