Jake Mangum
Position: OF
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: B/L
Born: 03/08/1996
College: Mississippi State University
Drafted: 4th Rd., 118th Overall, 2019 (Mets)
How Acquired: Trade (with Rays and Astros)
Bonus: $20,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 3
Overview
Mangum was drafted three times out of Mississippi State, as a draft-eligible sophomore and a junior before signing after his senior year. He’s a type of player who’s not common any more: a switch-hitting outfielder who takes very few pitches but also doesn’t swing and miss much. He usually makes contact, but seldom hits the ball hard. The result is few walks, strikeouts or extra base hits, but good averages. Statcast rates his speed and range in the outfield as well above average, and his arm as average. The defensive metrics see Mangum as above average, including in center field. His arm is around average. The Pirates acquired Mangum from the Rays in a three-team trade that also involved the Astros.
2019-21
Mangum reached AA quickly. He got into 54 games in short season ball in his draft year and didn’t hit much, batting 247/337/297. After the canceled 2020 season, the Mets sent him to high A in 2021, but after nine games he moved up to AA. He batted 294/342/459 and, in 330 plate appearances, drew just 16 walks and struck out only 58 times. He missed the last month of the season with an injury.
2022-24
In 2022, the Mets sent Mangum back to AA and he didn’t hit quite as well, 273/338/399 over 36 games before moving up to AAA. He got into only 33 games there due to an injury that cost him over two months. In AAA, he hit 333/365/471. After the season, the Mets included Mangum as the player to be named later in a trade with the Marlins.
Mangum spent the 2023 season in AAA, batting 298/346/425. His walk and K rates stayed about the same. After the season, he was again included in a trade as a PTBNL, this time to the Rays.
In 2024, Mangum again spent the season in AAA, except for a couple of brief injured list stints. He hit 317/357/442. After the season, Tampa Bay added him to their 40-man roster.
2025
Mangum made the Rays’ opening day roster and spent the season with them, except for missing about five weeks early in the year with a groin strain. He played semi-regularly, spending substantial time at all three outfield positions. He showed limited power and had just a 4% walk rate, but he also struck out only 15% of the time. Overall, he batted 296/330/368, hitting a little better left-handed. Mangum stole 27 bases in 33 tries. Although he had a wRC+ of only 95, his fielding and baserunning helped him to 1.8 fWAR.
Stats
Transactions
June 14, 2017: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 30th round, 902nd overall pick.
June 6, 2018: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 32nd round, 950th overall pick.
June 4, 2019: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 4th round, 118th overall pick; signed on June 24.
December 7, 2022: Traded by the New York Mets with Franklin Sanchez to the Miami Marlins for Elieser Hernandez and Jeff Brigham.
December 8, 2023: Traded by the Miami Marlins with Erick Lara and Andrew Lindsey to the Tampa Bay Rays for Vidal Brujan and Calvin Faucher.
November 19, 2024: Contract purchased by the Tampa Bay Rays.
December 19, 2025: Traded by the Tampa Bay Rays with Mason Montgomery and Jake Mangum to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-team trade in which the Pirates sent Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros and the Astros sent Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito to the Rays.