News travels fast in the world of Major League Baseball. On Friday, it was learned that former Mississippi State star Jake Mangum was on the move again. Mangum was part of a three-team trade that involved the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays.
A former 4th round pick by the New York Mets, Mangum made his Major League debut last season. In his first year in the big leagues, Mangum had 120 hits as part of a season that saw him hit .296 with three home runs and forty RBI. The Diamond Dawg legend swiped 27 bases in 33 attempts and scored 37 runs as a rookie.
Heading to Pittsburgh along with Mangum are former Rays (2B) Brandon Lowe and (LHP) Mason Montgomery. The Pirates sent (RHP) Mike Burrows to the Astros. Tampa picked up prospects (RHP) Anderson Brito and (OF) Jacob Melton.
Like just about all of us, Mangum learned of the trade on social media. Soon after, the phone started ringing and the business of baseball was handled. It was official, Mangum was a part of his third professional organization.
“Social media kind of spilled it first,” Mangum said in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Genespage.com. “I think Ken Rosenthal dropped it early. He had a source that helped him get it out. With a three-team trade, it kind of takes a while to construct itself and be official. It got leaked early. The Rays ended up calling me and it was great, man. It’s all love between me and the Rays and how they answered my questions. It was all a really seamless thing. They were great throughout the process.”
Mangum has a friend who can share some insider information about the Pirates. Former State infielder Adam Frazier spent a portion of seven seasons with Pittsburgh and became a fan favorite. They two quickly connected once news of the trade broke.
“I am fired up to be a Pirate,” Mangum shared. “They called and let me know some things. I really enjoyed getting to know them over the phone. I am excited to go and meet all of them in camp. Adam and I talked today. He gave me everything that I need to know about Pittsburgh and the community up there. He told me about that locker room.
“I am really excited about everything. There are a lot of good ball players with the Pirates. They want to win. Everyone who called me said that they are hungry to win. I would love to be a part of that and I want to help in anyway that I can.”
Last season, Mangum worked his way into being the everyday centerfielder for the Rays. The possibility of a similar arrangement exists in Pittsburgh, but Mangum remains flexible about his positional projection.
“They told me that I am going to play a lot of leftfield and centerfield,” Mangum explained. “Those are the two spots that they want me to get ready to play. I am left-handed and I am not a first baseman, so I can play in the outfield wherever they need me. If that changes, then that’s fine. I am just going into it all with an open mind. I just want to play to the best of my ability and help the team.”
Mangum is working through the Christmas break, but he will soon be on the move down to Bradenton, Florida for spring training. He will have a few weeks to prepare to get to know a new staff and a new club. Mangum vows to he will be ready to bring his best effort once he arrives to compete in the Grapefruit League.
“I’ll head down there around the first of February or so,” Mangum said. “I will get there a week or two early. Until then, I am just training and trying to get better. I want to get better for next year and try to put together a better year than I did this past year. If I play good baseball, then it helps the team win. I am just trying to control what I can control right now.”