Jake Mangum Bio
Jacob Thomas Mangum (born March 8, 1996) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays. Before becoming a professional, Mangum played college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, where he set the all-time hits record in Southeastern Conference history.
Early Life and Background
Jake Mangum was born in Flowood, Mississippi, and raised in nearby Pearl, Mississippi. He attended Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, where he became one of the most decorated amateur players in the state. Playing for the Patriots, Mangum was a member of three consecutive state championship baseball teams and earned Louisville Slugger All-American honors in 2013 and 2015, as well as Perfect Game All-American recognition in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was also named to the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) first team All-State in 2014 and 2015.
As a senior, Mangum was named the MIAS AAA, Division I Player of the Year after hitting .504 with 46 runs scored and 41 RBIs, while also compiling an 8-0 record with four saves, 66 strikeouts, and a 1.48 ERA across 52 innings pitched. He originally committed to play college baseball at the University of Alabama, his father’s alma mater, over offers from Ole Miss and Auburn. Mangum ultimately de-committed from Alabama and instead chose to play for Mississippi State, where he would cement his legacy as one of the conference’s all-time great hitters.
Path to Major League Baseball
Jake Mangum wasted little time establishing himself at the collegiate level. As a freshman at Mississippi State in 2016, he led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and finished seventh in the NCAA with a .408 batting average, adding 84 hits, one home run, 40 runs scored, and 28 RBIs. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-SEC, and became the first freshman to win the C Spire Ferriss Trophy as the top collegiate baseball player in the State of Mississippi. That summer, he played for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, batting .300 with nine RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 35 games, and was named to the Cape Cod All-Star team.
Across his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, Mangum continued to climb the record books. He was selected by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and by the New York Mets in the 32nd round of the 2018 MLB Draft, but returned to school each time. On April 26, 2019, Mangum passed Eddy Furniss as the all-time hits leader in SEC history with his 353rd career hit, and he set the Mississippi State single-season hit record with 108 in his final career game against Louisville in the College World Series. He finished his college career with a school and conference record 383 hits, fourth-most in NCAA history, and was twice named first-team All-SEC.
Jake Mangum Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
The New York Mets selected Jake Mangum again in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. He signed with the Mets on June 24, 2019, for a signing bonus of $20,000, well below the slotted bonus of $487,900, and was assigned to the Brooklyn Cyclones of the Low-A New York–Penn League. In his first professional season, Mangum batted .247 with 45 hits, 29 runs scored, 18 RBIs, and a team-leading 17 stolen bases across 53 games. He did not appear in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mangum returned to Brooklyn, now the Mets’ High-A affiliate, to begin the 2021 season before being promoted to the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies on May 22. Over 84 games between the two levels, he slashed .285/.337/.454 with nine home runs, 47 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases, showing steady development as an outfielder with on-base skills and extra-base pop.
New York Mets System (2019–2022)
Jake Mangum was named to the Mets’ 2022 spring training roster as a non-roster invitee and was assigned to Binghamton to open the season. He batted .283 in 31 games before earning a promotion to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. Shortly after his promotion, Mangum suffered a stress reaction in his spine, forcing him to the sidelines. He returned on August 31, 2022, and slashed .333/.365/.471 with two home runs and seven stolen bases over 33 games with Syracuse, finishing the year as one of the Mets’ most promising depth outfielders.
Miami Marlins Era (2023)
On December 7, 2022, Jake Mangum was traded to the Miami Marlins as the player to be named later in the deal that sent Elieser Hernández and Jeff Brigham to the Mets. He was assigned to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at the start of the 2023 season, where he batted .298 with five home runs and 52 RBIs across 119 games, cementing himself as an everyday presence at the Triple-A level.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2024–2025)
On December 8, 2023, Jake Mangum was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as the player to be named later in the trade that sent Vidal Bruján and Calvin Faucher to the Marlins. In 104 games for Durham in 2024, he batted .317/.358/.442 with six home runs, 56 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. On November 19, 2024, the Rays placed Mangum on the 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to Triple-A Durham to begin the 2025 season, but was promoted to the major leagues on March 29, 2025, following an injury to Josh Lowe. On May 31, 2025, Mangum hit his first career home run, a two-run shot off Kaleb Ort of the Houston Astros.
Pittsburgh Pirates Era (2025–Present)
On December 19, 2025, the Rays sent Jake Mangum to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-team trade in which the Pirates also acquired Brandon Lowe and Mason Montgomery, the Houston Astros received Mike Burrows, and the Rays obtained Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito. The move gave Mangum a fresh opportunity in the National League after his MLB debut season with Tampa Bay, and he joined the Pirates organization looking to build on his late-season power breakthrough and his track record of consistent contact at every level of the minors.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jake Mangum has built his reputation on elite bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline refined through years of SEC competition. He consistently sprays line drives to all fields, uses his legs to pressure defenses on the basepaths, and has shown growing power in recent seasons. Defensively, Mangum is regarded as a steady outfielder with above-average routes and a strong arm, which is why he has drawn C Spire Ferriss Trophy and All-American recognition throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Jake Mangum’s most memorable milestones, his April 26, 2019, hit that made him the all-time SEC hits leader stands at the top of his amateur résumé. His first career MLB home run on May 31, 2025, off Kaleb Ort of the Houston Astros, marked a symbolic breakthrough at the highest level. He is also only the second player in Mississippi State history to be named an All-American in three different seasons, joining program legend Rafael Palmeiro in that select company.
Jake Mangum Career Wins
Jake Mangum’s win totals are recorded primarily through individual batting and stolen-base achievements rather than traditional counting stats, given his role as an outfielder. Across college and the minor leagues, he accumulated multiple All-Star selections, All-American honors, conference records, and a long list of league-leading offensive categories. The sections below summarize verified highlights from his amateur and professional seasons.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Highlights
During his time at Mississippi State, Jake Mangum earned SEC Freshman of the Year in 2016, was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection, and won the C Spire Ferriss Trophy twice. He was named to the Cape Cod League All-Star team in both 2016 and 2017 and helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2018 College World Series semifinals. He finished his college career as the SEC’s all-time hits leader with 383, fourth-most in NCAA history.
Minor League Performances
In the minor leagues, Jake Mangum has been a steady offensive contributor at every stop, including Brooklyn, Binghamton, Syracuse, Jacksonville, and Durham. He posted a .317 batting average with 20 stolen bases in Durham in 2024 and batted .298 with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in 2023, performances that helped him earn his first MLB opportunity.
Jake Mangum Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jake Mangum comes from a strong athletic family. He is the son of former Alabama and Chicago Bears defensive back John Mangum Jr. and the nephew of former Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum. His grandfather, John “Big John” Mangum Sr., played college football at Ole Miss and Southern Mississippi before playing for the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. Because of his success at Mississippi State, Jake Mangum earned the nickname the Mayor of Starkville.
Personal Life
Jake Mangum grew up in Pearl, Mississippi, and developed his baseball skills at Jackson Preparatory School in nearby Flowood. His family ties to professional football helped shape his competitive drive, while his deep roots in Mississippi have kept him connected to the communities of Starkville and the Jackson metro area throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Jake Mangum’s 2025 season began with an option to Triple-A Durham, but he was promoted to the major leagues on March 29, 2025, following an injury to Josh Lowe, earning his long-awaited MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays. He appeared in games through the early summer, highlighted by his first career home run on May 31, 2025, a two-run shot off Houston Astros reliever Kaleb Ort. His offensive contributions provided a steady veteran contact presence for a Rays club developing its next wave of outfielders.
On December 19, 2025, Mangum was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a three-team deal that also sent Brandon Lowe and Mason Montgomery to Pittsburgh, Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros, and Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito to Tampa Bay. The trade gave Mangum an opportunity to compete for an outfield role in the National League and continue refining his offensive approach against left-handed pitching. Heading into his first full offseason in the Pirates organization, Mangum will look to build on his late-2025 momentum, expand his power output, and lock down an everyday role in Pittsburgh’s outfield mix.