Kevin McGonigle reminds Justin Verlander of a former Astros teammate
"I’m excited for him. I’m excited for his future and the organization," Justin Verlander said of Kevin McGonigle.
Scottsdale, Ariz. – Justin Verlander, who made his last spring training start on Tuesday night in an 11-8 win over the Colorado Rockies, says new teammate Kevin McGonigle reminds him of an old teammate. “He reminds me a bit of (Alex) Bregman,” said Verlander, who was traded by the Tigers to the Astros in 2017, after Bregman broke into the majors with Houston in 2016.
“Kind of like really into the game, watches and sees a lot. Sees everything. I’m excited for him.
I’m excited for his future and the organization. ” More: Meet the 2026 Tigers: A player-by-player breakdown with season projections Bregman, a career . 272 hitter and three-time All-Star third baseman, spent seven seasons with the Astros.
Bregman and Verlander won the World Series with Houston in 2017 with AJ Hinch as their manager, and again in 2022. As a free agent, Bregman went to Boston for the 2025 season, and to the Chicago Cubs this past offseason. “I don’t like comparing people, it just seems like he rises to the occasion,” Verlander said of McGonigle, who was informed by Hinch on Tuesday that he had made the Tigers’ Opening Day roster.