Player of the Series: Jake Mangum

The Mayor took on The Boss

What an Opening Week it was for the Rays rookies.

Kameron Misner took this honor for first series of the year and now 29-year old Jake Mangum has been dubbed our Player of the Series for the second series of the year.

Mangum came to the Rays as part of the return for former top prospect Vidal Brujan. Mangum was a collegiate star, graduating as the all-time hit leader in the SEC. He was then selected by the New York Mets in the 4th round of the 2019 draft. The switch-hitting outfielder performed well within the Mets system, and then well in the Marlins system when they acquired him in 2022 and then again in the Rays system after being dealt there. In 2024, Mangum won the batting title in the International League, hitting .317/.357/.442 over 104 games.

The Rays added Mangum to the 40-man roster in November and he joined the active roster after Josh Lowe suffered an oblique strain on Opening Day.

Mangum would go hitless in the team’s series finale against the Rockies on Sunday but was placed back in the starting lineup for the series opener against the Pirates. Mangum rewarded Kevin Cash by collecting four hits; and then three more on Tuesday, and another on Wednesday. Overall, Mangum is hitting .533/.563/.667 with two extra base hits in 16 trips to the plate.

The Rays begin their third series of the year tonight against the Texas Rangers. Who do you think will receive this honor following this weekend?