Former NY Mets prospect traded for bullpen help has been unstoppable since MLB debut

This was supposed to be the year where Pete Crow-Armstrong put it all together for the Chicago Cubs. Jarred Kelenic had the capabilities of finally finding some consistency as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Each is off to a slow start in 2025. Meanwhile, another former New York Mets prospect traded away in recent years has been unstoppable since his MLB debut.

Drafted in the fourth round in 2019, outfielder Jake Mangum had the misfortune of already being an older college player at 23. The 2020 season was a wash for minor leaguers everywhere, putting him further behind the eight ball upon the return to action in 2021 where he made his way from High-A to Double-A.

Always a light-hitting player with some speed but a good bat-to-ball ratio, Mangum profiled as an old-school fourth or fifth outfielder. The Mets traded him prior to the 2023 season to the Miami Marlins in a deal for Jeff Brigham and Elieser Hernandez. The former was an average meltdown reliever. The latter never pitched a game for the Mets due to injury. Mangum was the player to be named later in the deal and in 2025, the Mets might be kicking themselves for letting him go.

Former Mets prospect Jake Mangum has been a monster for the Rays since his MLB call up

It’s early but the 29-year-old rookie has had no issues against MLB pitching. His nearly .300 batting average in the minor leagues doesn’t appear to be a fluke. He has been unbelievably productive for the Rays, notching 4 hits in 4 plate appearances in his second career MLB game. Tack on a pair of RBI and two stolen bases, it was a good follow-up from the hitless performance in his debut a day earlier.

Anyone can have one good game. Mangum put together another. No joke, Mangum had 3 more hits on April 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Three more hits, including his second double and 2 more RBI plus his third stolen base of the season. The Rays have bought in big time, moving him from eighth in the order to the clean-up spot.

Riding the hot bat, the Rays put Mangum in the three-hole for his fourth career big league game. As a guy who never hit double digit home runs in any professional season, it’s a big and sudden leap. Give the Rays credit for giving him a chance.

His 1 for 4 day on Wednesday dropped his season totals down to a lowly .533/.563/.667 slash line. The 8 for 15 start has him leaving a strong early impression and the potential to stick around on the Rays for quite some time.

Mangum was always a fascinating minor league player because of his ability to hit for such a high average. Even in his early days as a Mets farmhand, it was clear there was talent. The Mets currently have Nick Morabito in the minors profiling similarly. Last summer, they traded Rhylan Thomas to the Seattle Mariners for Ryne Stanek. Players like these are often difficult to predict because of their lack of power. Tampa Bay doesn’t seem to mind. One of the more creative teams in MLB has found a use for a player who doesn’t grow on trees.