Tigers' top prospect lives up to the billing in Fall League

This story was excerpted from Jason Beck’s Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The season keeps going for Kevin McGonigle. And the Tigers’ top prospect keeps hitting, now tearing up the Arizona Fall League.

Two weeks ago, it was a four-hit game that included a go-ahead two-run home run in the 10th inning that accounted for the difference in the Scottsdale Scorpions’ comeback win. On Tuesday, he had another four-hit effort, this time with two homers -- one of them to lead off the game -- and four RBIs. On Thursday, it was an opposite-field RBI triple to the left-field fence.

• Gleyber gets Tigers' first qualifying offer since 2014

McGonigle -- baseball’s No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline -- has reached base safely in every game he has played since reporting to the AFL last month. On Sunday night, he’ll be arguably the prospect to watch as the AFL’s top performers take the field in the annual Fall Stars Game on Sunday night, televised live on MLB Network beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

McGonigle talked last weekend with MLB.com reporter Jesse Borek after the Scorpions’ walk-off win:

MLB.com: What's this team been like for the last month?
KM: Yeah, since Day 1, I just feel like we had a connection. Everyone came in, had the same mindset, and that was to win. I think we're doing a really good job of that right now. The team chemistry from the jump has been amazing. Everyone's playing for each other and not playing selfish. I think that's the main part of this. And if we keep doing this, we'll be in a good spot for the playoffs.

MLB.com: Have there been things that have kind of surprised you here over the last couple of weeks? You've been here for a month, has there been anything that's kind of been like, "Man, I did not expect it to be like that?"
KM: Not really. Definitely a little quiet, I'd say, out here, the baseball games. But, yeah, I feel like it's the same game. Everyone wants to play to win, and my main thing about being out here is just defense, and I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job at that right now, and I look forward to keep doing that.

MLB.com: You made a couple of nice plays at short. You’ve played a little bit of third, second, a little bit of everything. What’s been your read? Is there a difference, reading the ball coming off the bat?
KM: Yeah, third base, the ball gets on you a little quicker and it's more side-to-side break to the ball instead of going downhill at shortstop. That's my main thing is just working with different prepitches at third base and being prepared for the 108 down the line, diving play and get up and get him out at first.

MLB.com: I know your guy Max Anderson [has been] over there playing third. What's your guys' relationship? I know you played together a little bit during the season.
KM: I mean, we're really tight. I look up to him. He helps me out with a lot of things off the field and on the field. When it comes to third base, whatever he says, I listen. I mean, he's always there for me and I look forward to keep playing baseball with him.

MLB.com: He told me that you help keep him young.
KM: Yeah, man, we live together. So we mess around with each other, and we get a few laughs in every day. So it's nice.

MLB.com: We're playing in November now. I know you missed a little bit of time right at the start of the season, but you were in camp and you've been doing this since February. How are you still so fresh running around the field, playing in November?
KM: I think it's just the adrenaline, you know, just loving the game and wanting to play every single day. Coming out and having the same mindset and trying to help your team win, I think that's the biggest thing for me. I never want to fail for my team. So that's my biggest thing -- to go out, give it all I got. I think that's why I have all the energy right now. You get a little tired, but I'm still enjoying it, for sure.