Prep alum off to hot start in rookie season

Jake Mangum is a well-known name in the Jackson Prep community and by SEC baseball fans, but now, Mangum is making a name for himself at the highest level, getting off to a hot start in his rookie season with Tampa Bay Rays. 

It has been an extremely long road from Jackson Prep to the MLB, but Mangum is built for the challenge and has taken advantage of his opportunity at the highest level. 

Mangum was a legend at Jackson Prep and one of the best players in school history, leading the Patriots to three consecutive state titles, winning MAIS Player of the Year, being named a three-time all-american by Perfect Game, and hitting a whopping .504 in his senior season with the program. 

Mangum established himself as one of the best college players in SEC history at Mississippi State, being named SEC Freshman of the Year, multiple All-SEC nominations, multiple-time all-american, and the all-time hits leader in SEC history.

After being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, Mangum’s career has been quite a roller coaster. After only playing 53 games in his first minor league season, Mangum’s first full season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

Mangum eventually worked his way up to the AAA level with the Mets, before being traded a first time to the Miami Marlins in 2022.

He played 119 games in the minor league system for the Marlins, before being traded once again to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023. From there, Mangum was dominant, hitting .317 during the 2024 season for the Durham Bulls, who are the Rays’ AAA affiliate. 

There was a lot of hope for a call-up for opening day of the 2025 season for Mangum, but it was not to be, as he was sent down to AAA to begin the year. However, an injury gave the 29-year old outfielder the opportunity he had been waiting for just a few days into the season. 

On March 29th, Mangum got the call he had waited years for, as he was promoted to the Major Leagues for the first time in his career.

“I’m 29 years old and finally getting my shot,” Mangum said in an interview with MLB Network Radio. “If I’ve learned anything, it’s that working hard and doing things the right way are the things that really, really help.”

Since being called up, Mangum has seized his opportunity and more, batting .338 in 68 at-bats, along with seven RBIs, and eight stolen bases, while playing nearly every day for the Rays since being called up, before suffering a minor groin injury on April 24th. 

Mangum has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to be successful and now, he has proven that at the highest level of professional baseball.