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Detroit Tigers newest bromance features trio of infield prospects
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- Detroit Tigers newest bromance features trio of infield prospects
LAKELAND, FL – They have gone through it together. All the ups, as well as the downs.
But let's be real – there haven't been that many low points for these guys.
This is the story of three talented Detroit Tigers prospects, who are all roommates at one rental property in Lakeland. Kevin McGonigle, John Peck and Max Anderson have had a heck of a spring training for the Tigers – I can't imagine it going much better – while sharing a house and going through their first big-league spring training together.
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Supporting each other. Encouraging each other.
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"It's awesome," McGonigle said. "Good group of guys. We go home, sit in the living room, watch baseball, watch YouTube and just hang out and talk. It's good to do that after a long day at the field and just chop up and just talk off the field stuff."
"Who is the best cook?" I asked him. "They said you made a steak."
"I made Alfredo and I made steak," McGonigle said. "I'd say I'm the best cook out of them."
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He smiled.
OK, that's about the biggest trash talk you will get out of this trio, who are all just good dudes and have similar, no-nonsense personalities. They are all focused, serious and deliberate.
"We all kind of do similar things," Peck said. "We got a nice Jacuzzi that came with the Airbnb. We are just hanging out, listen to music."
This trio has experienced some unbelievably cool moments together, like the night they got a text that all three would be starting on the infield together, playing behind future Hall of Fame right-hander Justin Verlander . McGonigle started at third, Peck at short and Anderson at second.
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When Verlander's outing was done, he spun around and punched fists with the youngsters.
"It's pretty hard to describe," Peck said. "It was pretty cool."
Detroit Tigers infielder John Peck walks towards the practice field during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.
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It's not unusual for teammates to share a place in spring training. Spencer Torkelson , Riley Greene and Parker Meadows have been sharing places for years.
"Just be careful opening cans," I said.
Torkelson spun around and told the youngsters the story about how he cut his finger opening a can in 2021 .
"People were sending me can openers," he said, smiling.
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Another budding bromance
Torkelson, Greene and Meadows remain incredibly tight and are still sharing a place. Now, their wives and partners are just as close. In fact, they form an important core of the Tigers' tight-knit clubhouse.
And it's easy to think about the future and envision McGonigle, Peck and Anderson remaining just as close, as part of the next wave of prospects.
"It's a pretty cool experience because we have all kind of come up together," Peck said. "Here we are together again, supporting each other."
"What is McGonigle like?" I asked Peck.
"Good kid, funny," he said.
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"What makes him funny?" I asked.
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"Just got some good jokes," Peck said.
"Describe Anderson," I said.
"He's, ah, he's Marty," Peck said.
"Why Marty?"
"It's just a funny nickname, but he's also great, a Nebraska kid," Peck said.
Detroit Tigers second baseman Max Anderson (82) throws to first during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Performing at a high level
This has a huge spring training for this trio because they proved they are more than their scouting reports might suggest.
Peck, known as an elite defender, has impressed with his bat, hitting .350 with a .750 slugging percentage.
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Anderson, who is known for his bat, has impressed with his glove. And the Tigers have taken a long look at him – he's No. 2 on the roster (behind only Meadows) with 26 at-bats.
Then, there's McGonigle, who has done everything possible to try to make this team, hitting .318 with a 1.081 OPS.
Game respects game , as they say, and it's clear that this trio respects each other.
"He goes out, plays the game the right way," McGonigle said of Anderson. "He's not very flashy, just, you know, goes out and does what he has to do to help the team win. And that's the best part about him."
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Actually, that kind of describes all three: Not super flashy, but they play the game the right way.
"Is Anderson a better defender than people might give him credit?" I asked.
"Oh, definitely," McGonigle said. "He's the type of guy who will make every single routine play but he'll surprise you a little bit with some tough plays as well. He's been working his butt off, you know, to get better and better on defense."
And it's certainly showing.
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Learning from the vets
Ask them what they have learned and they all basically say the same thing.
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It's soaking up the experience, watching the veterans and learning their routines.
"These guys, they know what they're doing," Anderson said. "They have routine every single day. I think, the most important thing is getting in a groove, just kind of roll with your team every single day. Creatures of habit."
In different ways, all three have benefited from several factors.
Gleyber Torres has been away at the WBC with Team Venezuela. Hao-Yu Lee went to the WBC with Chinese Taipei and then got injured. Matt Vierling is coming back from injury and has spent most of the time in the outfield. And Javier Báez got a stiff back in the Dominican Republic.
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That has opened up even more playing time for this trio of prospects.
And they have made the most of it.
They have impressed, not just for their play, but how they have acted.
Like true pros. Ready for the moment. Soaking up this experience and learning from the veterans.
And, of course, always using a can opener.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kevin McGonigle not the only Detroit Tigers prospect wowing in spring
