Kevin McGonigle can't find Tigers' parking lot – but phenom has Detroit dreaming title

PHOENIX — He still has trouble believing he’s here, but then again, Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle always knew this is where he belonged. He was born and bred a baseball rat, convinced that one day he’d be a major league ballplayer. And now that he’s arrived as the youngest Tiger to make his debut since George Burns in 1914, it already feels as if he’s been around for 20 years.

The dude may be 21, but he’s going on 41 in maturity. “I think he’s a lot more polished and more mature as a ballplayer than when I came up," said Tigers infielder Colt Keith, who made his major-league debut at 22. “I mean, he’s handling it really well.

I don’t see any panic in his eyes. I mean, he’s out there just playing loose, having fun, just trying to help us win. “It’s really awesome to see.

He’s going to be a great player for us. " McGonigle, who never played above Class AA Erie, has spent one week in the major leagues and already is establishing himself as one of the finest young players in the game and certainly a future face of the Tigers. The Tigers would love to keep him around as long as possible and have engaged in talks with him and his agent about a long-term deal of at least eight years.