West Michigan Whitecaps Notebook Week 11

With a first-half division title on the table, the West Michigan Whitecaps hit the road for a six-game series against the Lansing Lugnuts.

The second-place Lugnuts have found some success against the Whitecaps already this season, including issuing West Michigan their first loss at home in May.

West Michigan entered the series at Jackson Field without the bat of Josue Briceño, who was being rested by the team. Still, as they’ve become known for doing so many times already this season, the Whitecaps found a way to not only take the series but also to secure the first-half division title and maintain the best overall record in the Midwest League.

GAME 1 – West Michigan: 6, Lansing: 2

To mark his third High-A start of the year, righthander Hayden Minton got the nod for West Michigan against the Lugnuts. Aside from a home run issued to Lansing outfielder Nate Nankil, Minton was solid, striking out four and allowing one run off three hits. Peyton Graham led the day offensively for the Whitecaps with three hits, two of which were doubles. A solo home run from Bennett Lee, his second of the year, along with a four-run seventh inning, locked in the first win of the year for Minton.

Bennett Lee unties the game for West Michigan in the 5th with a solo shot. pic.twitter.com/rhCP30qSzW

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 11, 2025

GAME 2 – Lansing: 4, West Michigan: 3

A three-run first inning for the Whitecaps set a strong tone to begin the game, but unfortunately, that would be the only offense for the remainder of the day for West Michigan. West Michigan starter Max Alba was tagged for a pair of runs off six hits through his five-inning start, while rehabbing Double-A outfielder Ben Malgeri led the West Michigan offense with a three-hit day. And as we know, it wouldn’t be a Whitecaps’ game without a double from Kevin McGonigle, and he didn’t disappoint with his 11th on the year. Tied at three going into the bottom of the ninth inning, a defensive miscue from West Michigan gave Lansing an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

From the 5th inning, thanks, @CoachTimK, on the tip as our crew has been busy tonight. Max Clark with a great catch in center. @jgoldstrass on the call. pic.twitter.com/pkQK1FyQoa

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 12, 2025

GAME 3 – West Michigan: 7, Lansing: 1

Looking to lefty Andrew Sears, West Michigan got the showing they were hoping for. The 22-year-old served up five scoreless innings, striking out five and walking a pair. This marked the fourth outing of five scoreless innings for Sears so far this season. Game three also marked the start of an absolute tear for Kevin McGonigle. The 20-year-old finished 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and his third home run of the season. Carlos Lequerica added an inning of scoreless work to drop his ERA to 0.36, and Andrew Sears secured his fourth win of the season as the Whitecaps locked in a game-three win and moved their clinching magic number to one.

Back to back doubles from Kevin McGonigle, hitting a double at a fastball coming at 100 MPH and Max Clark drives him in with his 9th double of the season, on a 98 MPH fastball. pic.twitter.com/tIuH7Lzr1k

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 12, 2025

GAME 4 – West Michigan: 20, Lansing: 6

With the opportunity to clinch a first-half division title on the line, the Whitecaps not only stepped up to the occasion, but they also blew the expectation out of the water. The Lugnuts struck first with a run in the first and second innings, but it was the third inning where the West Michigan offense exploded. Scoring a franchise-record 13 runs, Izaac Pacheco contributed his first multi-home run game of the year, Kevin McGonigle posted his first career five-hit game, and John Peck added a single-game career-high seven RBI. West Michigan concluded the night with a franchise-record 26 hits and secured the first-half Midwest League division title.

Congrats to the West Michigan whitecaps for being the first half midwest league champions pic.twitter.com/uSVSwyd4gr

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 14, 2025

GAME 5 – West Michigan: 3, Lansing: 2

Coming off the high of the previous night’s activities, West Michigan looked to Joe Miller to take the mound for game five. The 25-year-old lefty held the Lugnuts to one run across five frames with a single strikeout. At the plate, West Michigan infielder John Peck continued his offensive push with his second consecutive multi-hit day, with Luke Gold and Peyton Graham each contributing a multi-hit day of their own. A 3-2 victory for West Michigan locked in the fourth win of the year for Miller and the second save of the year for 22-year-old reliever Preston Howey.

Peyton Graham scoots an RBI single though the infield to put the Whitecaps up 3-1. pic.twitter.com/Jyp3qs2XwL

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 15, 2025

GAME 6 – West Michigan: 13, Lansing: 1

For the series finale, West Michigan welcomed back Josue Briceño to the lineup and keeping with tradition, he didn’t disappoint. The 20-year-old posted his ninth double of the year, joining Kevin McGonigle and Seth Stephenson for three doubles on the day for West Michigan. Max Clark added his second consecutive night with a triple and carrying a 5-1 lead into the ninth inning, West Michigan exploded, thanks in part to some key hitting from Luke Gold. In addition to adding his second consecutive three-run night, the 24-year-old added a grand slam as part of an eight-run ninth inning for the Whitecaps. With a pair of scoreless relief innings, West Michigan righthander CJ Weins picked up his second win of the year and West Michigan secured the series win.

Here’s Luke Gold’s grand slam, courtesy of @bythewaybro pic.twitter.com/RwRtP6bcy9

— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) June 15, 2025

Up Next: Tonight, West Michigan returns home to host the Brewers’ High-A affiliate, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, in a six-game home stand.

Pitcher of the Week: LHP Andrew Sears

Since the start of the season, a key focus for Andrew Sears has been securing his identity as a pitcher. Mixing a fastball, slider and changeup, the 22-year-old has worked a maximum of 5 ⅓ frames for West Michigan so far this season with four of his five-inning campaigns completed without a run allowed. Standing at 6’3 with plenty of southpaw deception, Sears is carrying a 2.89 ERA over 46 ⅔ innings and the West Michigan coaching staff has praised his progress.

Player of the Week: INF Kevin McGonigle

We’ve reached the point in the season where finding a creative way to convey just how successful Kevin McGonigle’s season has been so far. In addition to being named to the Baseball America Hot Sheet, being named the Midwest League Player of the Week and being named to MLB Pipeline’s Prospect Team of the Week, McGonigle posted a combined 11 hits, 10 runs, five doubles, a home run and six RBI against the Lugnuts.

Whitecap to Watch: INF John Peck

Still just 22 years old, John Peck continues to demand attention for his offensive performance with West Michigan. The Pepperdine alum posted a combined nine hits against the Lugnuts, including three consecutive multi-hit games, three doubles, a home run and a single-game career-high seven RBI. Praised for his defensive contribution, Peck may be one of the quieter members of the roster, but his performance on both sides of the ball is making it very hard to ignore.