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12/9/21

Player Profile: Jake Mangum



Here is a look at Mets Prospect, Jake Mangum.

Background, Stats, Videos.

Background: 

CF/RF, Bats Both, Throws Left, DOB 3/8/1996, 4th round, 2019 Draft.  According to FanGraphs, he will be Rule 5 Draft eligible in December 2022.

Back in March, I stated that "For 2021, it would just be good to see Jake back on the field...My prediction is that he starts out in High A Brooklyn with a promotion to Binghamton later in the year."  

What I didn't predict was Jake's whole new approach to hitting. During the down time in 2020, Jake worked on driving the ball more and being more selective at the plate.  It paid off.  Jake, who hit no home runs in his first pro-season and just 5 during his entire College Baseball career, hit 9 last year between Brooklyn and Binghamton.  

This year, I look for Jake to continue to progress, start the year in Binghamton with a mid-season call-up to Syracuse.  Maybe, if there is an injury in Flushing, Jake could get the 2022 call to the show.  

Tom recently had Jake as his #15 Prospect saying: "superb hitting in AA down the stretch, while adding some pop in 2021, giving me hope that he will carry that over to a decent big league career. Good speed, good D.  I could see him becoming a major league sub OF in 2022 at some point.  AAA bound."

SNY had Jake as their #17 Pick. and noted "Mangum...likely projects best as a fourth outfielder. He added more pop to his game this year, but the all-time SEC hits leader’s offensive game is based upon contact and speed. He is a fantastic glove in center field and is capable to play the other outfield spots. He brings the grinder mentality that really fits on a major league bench....MLB ETA: 2022"

Prospects 1500 has Jake as the #27 Prospect.

Sam Dykstra MiLB.com: Meet the Mets' 2021 Organizational All-Stars - OF - "Jake Mangum...His .294 average ranked sixth in the Double-A Northeast, and he was one of only three league qualifiers to bat at least .290 while sporting a strikeout rate below 20 percent (17.6, in this case). The 25-year-old’s speed also made him a solid option in center, and that package of tools and performance helped earn him a spot on the Double-A Northeast postseason All-Star list."



Here is what Mack said the day Jake was drafted: “If I ran a Major League team’s front office, I’d draft Jake Mangum early and pay him what it takes to sign him. I love the way Mangum plays. I love the way he competes. I love the way he wins.”

Jake is a future Mets leader.  Per Baseball America: after his team was eliminated in the College World Series, Jake “made an impassioned plea for more scholarships and to pass legislation approving a third full-time assistant coach for baseball.” 

“Mangum is one of the biggest stars in college baseball—he’s an All-American and finished his career No. 4 on the Division I all-time hits list. But he later said that he spent the last two years as a walk-on, as Mississippi State tried best to juggle its allotment of 11.7 scholarships.” 

Proof that Jake will do what it takes to help his team win.

How did he do in Brooklyn in 2019? 

In 53 games, 182 at-bats, 29 runs, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 18 RBIs, .247 BA/ .337 OBP/ .297 SLG.  He also led a team that stole a lot of bases with 17 stolen bases. 

However, the biggest thing about Jake in 2019 was how he came through in the clutch.  In 33 at bats with 2 outs and a runner in scoring position, Jake excelled hitting .364.  It seemed like he got the big hit for the Cyclones last year time and time again as they won the NY Penn League Championship.

Per Joe DeMayo SNY.TV: “Mangum is a pure hitter, as evidenced by being the all-time SEC hits leader and a true old-school, gritty type of player. He has a perspective that if his jersey isn't dirty then he didn't have the day he wants. He is the type of player who goes 100 percent at all times. Truly that is the type of player the fans will love to root for…

Defensively, Mangum has above-average range and instincts and an above-average arm in center field. I have very little doubt that he will be able to handle center field at the big-league level.”

Amazing Avenue recently said this about Jake: “He is aggressive at the plate, but like the stolen bases, has improved on working deeper counts and drawing walks. In the outfield, Mangum is an average-to-above-average defender in center. He possesses plenty of range in thanks to his excellent speed, and his routes have refined since his earlier college days. In addition, he possesses a strong arm as well, even pitching a few innings for Mississippi State in 2017."
Here is Jake Mangum’s FANGRAPHS page.

Per Baseball Savant: he sprays the ball all around the diamond. 



Stats:

Hitting -


Fielding -



2021 Batting Splits -



Videos and Audio:

@Before each Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, Announcer Jacob Wilkins interviews the Rumble Pony players, coaches, and staff.  Below is a great interview with Jake Mangum. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  

















Video of Jake Mangum (July 10 & 12, 2019) vs. Mahoning Valley (Brooklyn, NY).

Video: Coney Convos with Jake Mangum and Antoine Duplantis.







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5 comments:

  1. Mack AdeDecember 9, 2021 at 2:34 PM

    As ypu can see from what I said about Jake in the past, I loved when the Mets picked him and saw him as a someday future leadoff hitter.

    The new power is a bonus, but I hope this isn't another one of them swing trajectory BS musts the Mets seem to be trying to teach all their hitters to strikeout more and hit .230.

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  2. Tom BrennanDecember 9, 2021 at 4:10 PM

    Good young man. He looked stronger in 2021 than 2019. Good for you, Jake, see you soon enough in Queens.

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  3. Tom BrennanDecember 9, 2021 at 4:30 PM

    Great collection of videos, by the way. Easy to get to know Jake that way.

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  4. TexasGusCCDecember 9, 2021 at 9:14 PM

    If stats had no name, Mangum would be in the top five; his numbers speak for themselves. I’ve have him at #11 and I feel guilty that he’s not higher, because I don’t see the proof of the others above him deserving it. He has added power, he has speed, his defense is amazing, there is not much this guy cannot do. He is becoming a favorite before he even comes to the majors. The stigma he has of being a senior signing, is because he still chose to stay in college for his senior year. His dad and uncle played in the NFL so he understands pro sports. Hence, he wanted to enjoy his college life. The Mets were very fortunate to get him, and he is the all-time SEC leader in hits for a reason. I can’t wait to see him in centerfield. His development may be why the Mets traded PCA.

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  5. Tom BrennanDecember 10, 2021 at 7:03 AM

    Gus, one thing he said was of interest - in college, he swung at everything, and now he is still refining pitch recognition. I guess that is where strong coaching comes in, to your point yesterday. Had he worked on that earlier on, perhaps he'd already be on the Mets. But that red hot hitting in August gives great hope he will have a huge 2022.

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