Mangum, drafted by the Mets in 2019, didn’t exactly have an easy start. He was already 23 by the time he was drafted, and the pandemic year in 2020 didn’t help him catch up. Still, he worked his way up from High-A to Double-A by 2021. Known as a solid contact hitter with speed, Mangum was seen as a good fit for a role as a utility outfielder, not exactly a star. The Mets traded him to the Miami Marlins before the 2023 season, and while they got Jeff Brigham and Elieser Hernandez in return, neither of them really panned out (Brigham had a rough time, and Hernandez never even played for the Mets due to injury).

Now, Mangum’s showing everyone what he’s made of. After being called up by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025, he’s been on fire. In his second game, he had four hits in four plate appearances, with two RBIs and two stolen bases. And he didn’t stop there—just days later, Mangum racked up three more hits, including a double, plus another two RBIs and his third stolen base. The Rays are all in on him, moving him from the eighth spot in the lineup to cleanup. For a guy who’s never been a big power hitter, this is a huge move.

By the end of the week, Mangum’s stats were insane for a rookie—an impressive .533 batting average. It’s still early, but he’s made a big impact, and the Rays are clearly excited about his potential. The Mets might be looking at this and wondering if they made a mistake letting him go.