"Sorry Kevin": Merrill Robs Detroit Tigers Top Prospect's First Career Home Run

After hitting four hits in the opener against a left-handed pitcher, Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle aimed for his first MLB home run tonight.

But San Diego Padres star center fielder Jackson Merrill didn't give him that chance. In today's home game at Petco Park where the Padres lost 2-5 to the Tigers, Merrill retreated to the wall in the second inning and made an incredible leaping catch, robbing McGonigle of a sure home run.

"We finally got him," Padres manager Craig Stammen joked, "We had to rob a home run to do it."

McGonigle caught a 1-2 count fastball from Michael King and sent it 403 feet to right-center field. Merrill calmly retreated to the warning track, perfectly timed his jump, and Padres fans in the first row wisely moved aside, giving Merrill enough space.

Merrill was primarily an infielder before his 2024 call-up, but in his first two MLB seasons, he has developed into an excellent center field defender. Last year, he robbed Max Kepler of a home run in Philadelphia, and later at Petco Park, he similarly robbed Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks.

Merrill said those were great, but this one is his favorite. What's the difference? "It was the kid's first home run," he joked.

Merrill himself was once a highly touted young prospect, and he praised McGonigle extensively. But...

"Sorry, Kevin," Merrill said, "I know the first homer feels great, but I had to protect my pitcher Mike."

"We joked about it on the field," McGonigle said, "I looked at him, and he said 'My bad, my bad'. I said 'Come on, at least let the first one go out'. But it was an incredible catch. He's a great player."

McGonigle ended up laughing last. One day after becoming the second Tigers player in history to hit four hits in his debut opener, McGonigle battled Wandy Peralta for 10 pitches in the top of the eighth inning and finally hit a crucial two-run single to right-center field.