Jake Mangum embracing new organization
In the offseason, the Tampa Bay Rays improved their outfield depth with the addition of Jake Mangum as the player to be named later in the Vidal Brujan trade. Since Mangum joined the Rays system all he has done is hit. In his first stint with the Durham Bulls, Mangum has continued to frustrate pitchers and shown that he is nearly ready for the majors.
In 64 at-bats, the 28-year-old has posted a .344 batting average and driven in 12 runs. He has shown excellent plate discipline, only striking out 14 times. The talented outfielder has added nine multi-hit games to his resume, including five in May. His success has partly been due to being in a new organization that has welcomed him with open arms.
“ Super easy due to how friendly everyone has been to me,” Mangum told Beyond The Monster. “ They have allowed me to continue to find ways to get better. I’ve learned a ton of valuable things.”
While the former Mississippi State star has made the transition seem easy, his success is no surprise. Since making his minor league debut in 2019, Mangum has only hit below .285 once. Last year, for the Marlins Triple-A affiliate, he posted a .298 batting average in 119 games. That is partly why the Rays targeted him in trade talks.
As Mangum has made new connections, he has gotten to play alongside some of the Rays' stars. That includes Brandon Lowe, who is currently with Durham on a rehab assignment.
"Being able to play with him has been awesome," Mangum said. "He's such a great hitter, and I really love his swing. Just watching has been a lot of fun."
Although Mangum has only been with Durham for a few months, he has embraced his new surroundings and Durham Bull Stadium. So far, it has not disappointed.
“ The ballpark and fans are phenomenal. Such a cool experience getting to play for the Bulls,” said Mangum.
While the season is far from over, Mangum has little to prove in the minors. He has hit at every level and excelled regardless of the organization he has been with. The Rays have a crowded outfield, but it’s been hard to ignore Mangum’s play. His ability to get on base with occasional power would boost any lineup.
As the season continues, Mangum will be a prospect to watch. If he continues to improve on his .769 OPS, it will be hard for the Rays to keep him in Triple-A.