Tigers infield phenom Kevin McGonigle has already garnered insane Red Sox comparison

Detroit Tigers phenom Kevin McGonigle isn't just an early frontrunner for American League Rookie of the Year. He's been one of the best players in the American League this year, period. It's still relatively early, but the 21-year-old McGonigle hasn't had much trouble with major league pitching to begin his career, and he's already drawn a comparison to a Boston Red Sox legend.

McGonigle's .314/.411/.488 slash line and 11 doubles over 32 games is impressive enough. But one thing everyone's noticed about McGonigle is his mature plate discipline. He currently has more walks (19) than strikeouts (18) on the season, and as of April 23, was on pace for a 94-walk, 82-strikeout season, putting him in the same rare company as Red Sox icon Ted Williams.

Williams and five others are the only players in MLB history to have logged a 90-walk season and have fewer strikeouts in that season at age 21 or younger, according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic. McGonigle is on track to do the same.

Red Sox fans can only sit back in awe as Kevin McGonigle channels Ted Williams

Maybe Stark's way-too-early Hall of Fame projection for McGonigle wasn't that crazy. McGonigle's ceiling is seemingly limitless, and the Tigers (as well as the rest of MLB) are bound to view McGonigle's $150 million extension as a massive bargain in the coming seasons.

Current Red Sox fans know a thing or two about boasting a 21-year-old stud on the roster. Roman Anthony has emerged as one of the fastest-rising young stars in the league, and Boston signed him to a $130 million extension last August that established the fiscal standard for McGonigle's deal (as well as that of Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin).

As much as Anthony impressed last season (and again in the World Baseball Classic), McGonigle looks like an even rarer specimen so far in his career. He's already got the look of a generational player who will be routinely flirting with the record books.

McGonigle and Red Sox stud Roman Anthony are the future of the American League

McGonigle reached base safely in his 25th straight start, the longest such streak for a 21-or-younger Tigers player since Al Kaline reached base in 34 straight starts 70 years ago.

But seeing as comparison is the thief of joy, why keep likening McGonigle to Anthony, especially when they are completely different types of players?

What's clear is this: The American League has added two left-handed bats in the past calendar year that might define what offensive greatness in MLB looks like over the next decade-plus. And both guys are already striking fear into the minds of pitchers and impacting winning immediately.

Oh, and if either McGonigle or Anthony would like to have a Ted Williams-esque career, they're only six batting titles, two triple crowns, two MVPs, and 19 All-Star appearances away from the conversation! Get to work.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow