Tigers' Kevin McGonigle already proving $150 million contract was a smart idea

The Detroit Tigers made a huge decision at the start of the year, giving Kevin McGonigle a roster spot in the Major Leagues, and shortly followed it up with a massive $150 million extension.

It was a bold move for the Tigers to hand so much money to someone who was just 21 years old and had never played in the Major Leagues before. But, so far, so good.

As ESPN's Jeff Passan highlighted, the Tigers' rookie infielder is off to a great start to the year and is already proving to be worth his $150 million contract.

Kevin McGonigle is already worth $150 million deal

"He is already one of the best hitters in the major leagues, and that is not an exaggeration," Passan writes. "... He's worth every dollar of the eight-year, $150 million extension."

Passan is calling McGonigle one of the best hitters in the big leagues already, and that he's worth the $150 million extension. Why is Passan making such a bold claim this early into his big-league career?

McGonigle is only 21 years old and already posting a very strong slash line. He's hitting .333 with a .937 OPS on the season, which is made all the more impressive with his 16-walk to 17-strikeout ratio.

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The Tigers' rookie, as Passan notes, has the "seventh-best eighth on-base average in baseball," which, combined with his .937 OPS and elite strikeout-to-walk ratio, has McGonigle as one of the more valuable players in the Majors already.

He has 2.0 bWAR on the season through 30 games, which is the most of any position player in the American League this season so far. He already has 11 doubles, two triples, and two homers.

McGonigle is hitting great, has fantastic defense, and solid base-stealing ability. The Tigers' rookie looks incredible and is already more than worth the $150 million extension he got.

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