This was supposed to be the year Pete Crow-Armstrong put everything together for the Chicago Cubs, while Jarred Kelenic had the potential to finally establish consistency with the Atlanta Braves. However, both players have gotten off to slow starts in 2025. Meanwhile, another former New York Mets prospect, who was traded away in recent years, has been unstoppable since making his MLB debut.
Top outfielder a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft, faced an uphill battle from the start. As a 23-year-old college player, he was already older than most prospects. The cancellation of the 2020 minor league season only set him back further, but he worked his way from High-A to Double-A when play resumed in 2021.
Known for his speed, contact-hitting ability, and strong bat-to-ball skills, Mangum was viewed as a traditional fourth or fifth outfielder rather than a future star. Before the 2023 season, the Mets traded him to the Miami Marlins in a deal for reliever Jeff Brigham and pitcher Elieser Hernández. Brigham struggled in relief, while Hernández never pitched a game for the Mets due to injury. Mangum, initially the player to be named later in the trade, is now proving to be the biggest piece of that deal—leaving the Mets with plenty of reason to regret letting him go in 2025.
Former Mets prospect Jake Mangum has been a monster for the Rays since his MLB call up
It’s still early, but the 29-year-old rookie has had no trouble adjusting to MLB pitching. His near-.300 minor league batting average appears to be no fluke, as he has been highly productive for the Rays. In just his second career MLB game, he went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, adding two RBIs and two stolen bases—a strong response after going hitless in his debut the day before.
Anyone can have one great game, but Mangum followed it up with another. On April 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he collected three more hits, including his second double, drove in two more runs, and swiped his third base of the season. The Rays are fully buying into his hot streak, promoting him from eighth in the lineup to the cleanup spot.
Riding his momentum, the Rays placed Mangum in the No. 3 spot for his fourth career game—an unexpected jump for a player who has never hit double-digit home runs in any professional season. Credit to Tampa Bay for recognizing his potential and giving him an opportunity.
His 1-for-4 performance on Wednesday slightly lowered his season numbers to a still-impressive .533/.563/.667 slash line. With an 8-for-15 start, he’s making a strong early case to stick around with the Rays for the long haul.
Mangum was always an intriguing minor league hitter due to his ability to consistently hit for average. Even during his time in the Mets’ farm system, his talent was evident. The Mets currently have Nick Morabito in the minors, who has a similar profile, and last summer, they traded Rhylan Thomas to the Mariners for Ryne Stanek. Players like Mangum, who lack power, can be difficult to project at the major league level, but Tampa Bay—one of the most innovative teams in baseball—has found a role for him, proving that players with his skill set are more valuable than they might seem.
