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Bonner-Prendie’s Kevin McGonigle named state’s Gatorade Player of the Year

McGonigle, who is expected to be a first-round pick in July’s MLB draft, hit .474 this season and was the Catholic League’s Player of the Year.

Bonner-Prendergast shortstop Kevin McGonigle is projected to be a high pick in this summer's MLB draft.
Bonner-Prendergast shortstop Kevin McGonigle is projected to be a high pick in this summer's MLB draft.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer
    by Matt Breen
    Published 

When Kevin McGonigle graduates from high school Monday he will do so as the state’s premier baseball player, as the Bonner-Prendergast senior was named Gatorade’s Pennsylvania Player of the Year on Friday.

McGonigle, who is expected to be a first-round pick in July’s MLB draft, hit .474 this season and was the Catholic League’s Player of the Year. After Monday’s graduation, McGonigle will lead the Friars that afternoon into a PIAA Class 5A first-round game against West Chester Rustin.

» READ MORE: Delco’s Kevin McGonigle models his game after Chase Utley and could be a top pick in the 2023 MLB draft

The shortstop is a smooth defender with a power swing. He is signed to play at Auburn, but that seems unlikely as MLB scouts have been watching him all season. A mock draft released Thursday by MLB.com has McGonigle going to Atlanta with the No. 24 pick, three selections ahead of the Phillies’ pick. McGonigle grew up a diehard Phils fan in Alden and models his game after Chase Utley.

”His bat-to-ball skills are the best I’ve ever seen as a high-school hitter, and we’ve had some good ones in our league,” Bonner-Prendie coach Steve DeBarberie said last summer. “I’ve seen some good ones in the area. But Kevin is just on a whole different level. The way he gets the barrel onto the baseball is incredible. Even his outs. Line drives all over the field.”