Today: 1-1, double, 2 RBI
Current BA: .455
Current BA: .455
Mangum doubles...
- Thread starter Xenomorph
- Start date
They've given him 2 days off before today's game. Not looking very promising that he stays up.
They have fielded 12 OF's during spring training. He's played in 8 games but only started in 1. He's had 12 AB's which is 9th overall for the OF.
Well that could be true. But it could also mean that they like what they’ve seen and already know what he can do, for better or worse. It’s hard to imagine them NOT liking what they are seeing at 5 for 11 / .455.
It stands to reason that they are going to want to give maximum AB’s and opportunities to guys that they are the most undecided on for roster spots.
Since I've got nothing better to do, here are the OF's in TB's camp after today's game.
Brock Jones, 2/2, 1.000, 2 HR
Matthew Etzel, 3/20, .150, 1 HR
Kameron Misner, 6/16, .375, 1 HR
Tristan Peters, 7/16, .438, 1 HR
Dru Baker, 0/1, .000
Jonny DeLuca, 2/17, .118
Jhon Diaz, 0/4, .000
Josh Lowe, 4/18, .222
Jake Mangum, 5/12, .417
Christopher Morel, 5/21, .238
Richie Palacios, 6/23, .261
Chandler Simpson, 5/13, .385
Aidan Smith, 1/3, .333
Brock Jones, 2/2, 1.000, 2 HR
Matthew Etzel, 3/20, .150, 1 HR
Kameron Misner, 6/16, .375, 1 HR
Tristan Peters, 7/16, .438, 1 HR
Dru Baker, 0/1, .000
Jonny DeLuca, 2/17, .118
Jhon Diaz, 0/4, .000
Josh Lowe, 4/18, .222
Jake Mangum, 5/12, .417
Christopher Morel, 5/21, .238
Richie Palacios, 6/23, .261
Chandler Simpson, 5/13, .385
Aidan Smith, 1/3, .333
It’s very unlikely they know they’re bringing him up. Much more likely they know they’re not. Not what I think they should do. But what I think they will do.
I believe that's the first time I've ever heard or seen anyone say that.
It's as easy to get tickets to a game as a State football game.
What about when the Rays play Bama?
It's like I've said before, a guy like Pete Rose wouldn't make a MLB roster in today's game. Just another reason the pro game sux.
I agree, it's hard to watch batters struggle to hit the Mendoza line start on every team.
Just going to kick the tires on this discussion a bit more….and correct a few things.
As of right now, Mangum is 8th on the entire spring roster (all positions) in OPS, at 1.045….and that’s 3rd amongst primary outfielders. Amongst players with at least 10 AB’s, he is 6th in OPS, and 2nd amongst outfielders. Pretty damn good.
To build off the previous discussion, here are the OF guys with more AB’s than Mangum:
1) Matthew Etzel (20 AB’s). 10th round pick from USM 2 years ago. Doesn’t have flashy numbers at all in MiLB, and has little power. Only 3-20 in the spring, with a .540 OPS. Really no chance for this guy, Rays probably just deciding if they’ll start him in AA or AAA this spring. He’s still young and has time to develop, but seems nowhere close to ready.
2) Josh Lowe (19 AB’s). 4 year veteran in MLB, but has only 1 year where he’s played in over 110 games. Career MLB OPS of under .750. Will make the roster and start, but very mediocre MLB outfielder. Unfortunately for the Rays, he’s the best OF they have. The bar is not very high.
3) Jonny DeLuca (18 AB’s). Journeyman Minor leaguer for 6 years before finally making the show 2 years ago. 131 games, has just 8 HR’s and a career MLB OPS of .624. Plays all three OF positions, but there’s nothing else positive you can say about him. Bats RH, maybe platoon guy. I’d bet my left nut that Mangum could do better than .624 OPS in MLB, and he’s a switch hitter.
4) Tristan Peters (16 AB’s). Having a decent spring, 7-16 with 1 HR. But was outperformed across the board by Jake in Durham last season (average, OPS, etc.). 7th round pick in 2021, so not a high draft capital guy. Has a small shot at the roster, but no MLB experience.
5) Kameron Misner (16 AB’s). Nice prospect with some measurable power, but had an absolutely dreadful debut with the Rays during a brief call-up in 2024. Went 1-15, with 10 K’s. That’s not gonna get it done. He’ll need to be a lot better than that, in not a lot of time to make the roster.
That’s the only primary OF guys with more AB’s than Mangum as of right now….no idea where that “9th in OF AB’s” statement came from. Jake has 12 AB’s, and other than him and the 5 guys above, no other OF on the roster has more than 4 AB’s, or has ever played in an MLB game. Throw out Etzel, and chalk up Lowe and DeLuca as having spots, and you’re looking at Mangum competing mainly against Misner and Peters for an opening day spot (or one of a couple of spots).
Jake’s chances of making the roster actually hinge heavily on 3 other guys, and how they fall in the balance of positions. Those guys are Chris Morel, Richie Palacios, and Eloy Jimenez. Morel and Palacios are locks to make the roster. Both can play outfield but also have an infield position (Morel - 3B, Palacios - 2B). Morel has a little pop, but Palacios is yet another sub.-.700 OPS guy with little power. Morel may slot in as back-up 3B/DH, but could be in OF as a roster spot. Jimenez is a big, slow platoon DH type with little defensive value, but he might make the roster. He hasn’t played OF in several years, and wasn’t very efficient his last few seasons. Rays have him on a minors deal right now.
Most MLB teams carry 6 infielders, 5 outfielders, 2 catchers, and 13 pitchers, and you get your DH from somewhere in there. In IF I think you have Caminero, Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, Jose Cabellero (who can back-up all 3 spots besides 1B), Jonathan Aranda (who is probably the last INF), and Taylor Walls. Walls, Caballero, or Aranda is getting sent down when Kim returns from injury. In the OF, you’ll have at least Josh Lowe, Johnny DeLuca, and Chris Morel. That leaves 2 spots that 5 players are competing for - Palacios, Misner, Peters, Eloy, and Mangum. I could see Jake making it over Peters and Misner, but those other 2 have extended MLB experience…..although I think Eloy is a has-been with no defensive value who won’t stick either way. Now, one thing that could happen is that they drop Aranda or Caballero before Kim comes back…and keep Palacios as a primary infielder, then maybe he’s not in the equation and Jake would only have to beat out 2 guys instead of 3.
Anyway, I’d put Jake’s chances at less than 50% when looking at the whole picture, but a lot greater than 0%. A big advantage he has is that the Rays don’t have much to write home about in the OF spots. The opportunity is there.
As of right now, Mangum is 8th on the entire spring roster (all positions) in OPS, at 1.045….and that’s 3rd amongst primary outfielders. Amongst players with at least 10 AB’s, he is 6th in OPS, and 2nd amongst outfielders. Pretty damn good.
To build off the previous discussion, here are the OF guys with more AB’s than Mangum:
1) Matthew Etzel (20 AB’s). 10th round pick from USM 2 years ago. Doesn’t have flashy numbers at all in MiLB, and has little power. Only 3-20 in the spring, with a .540 OPS. Really no chance for this guy, Rays probably just deciding if they’ll start him in AA or AAA this spring. He’s still young and has time to develop, but seems nowhere close to ready.
2) Josh Lowe (19 AB’s). 4 year veteran in MLB, but has only 1 year where he’s played in over 110 games. Career MLB OPS of under .750. Will make the roster and start, but very mediocre MLB outfielder. Unfortunately for the Rays, he’s the best OF they have. The bar is not very high.
3) Jonny DeLuca (18 AB’s). Journeyman Minor leaguer for 6 years before finally making the show 2 years ago. 131 games, has just 8 HR’s and a career MLB OPS of .624. Plays all three OF positions, but there’s nothing else positive you can say about him. Bats RH, maybe platoon guy. I’d bet my left nut that Mangum could do better than .624 OPS in MLB, and he’s a switch hitter.
4) Tristan Peters (16 AB’s). Having a decent spring, 7-16 with 1 HR. But was outperformed across the board by Jake in Durham last season (average, OPS, etc.). 7th round pick in 2021, so not a high draft capital guy. Has a small shot at the roster, but no MLB experience.
5) Kameron Misner (16 AB’s). Nice prospect with some measurable power, but had an absolutely dreadful debut with the Rays during a brief call-up in 2024. Went 1-15, with 10 K’s. That’s not gonna get it done. He’ll need to be a lot better than that, in not a lot of time to make the roster.
That’s the only primary OF guys with more AB’s than Mangum as of right now….no idea where that “9th in OF AB’s” statement came from. Jake has 12 AB’s, and other than him and the 5 guys above, no other OF on the roster has more than 4 AB’s, or has ever played in an MLB game. Throw out Etzel, and chalk up Lowe and DeLuca as having spots, and you’re looking at Mangum competing mainly against Misner and Peters for an opening day spot (or one of a couple of spots).
Jake’s chances of making the roster actually hinge heavily on 3 other guys, and how they fall in the balance of positions. Those guys are Chris Morel, Richie Palacios, and Eloy Jimenez. Morel and Palacios are locks to make the roster. Both can play outfield but also have an infield position (Morel - 3B, Palacios - 2B). Morel has a little pop, but Palacios is yet another sub.-.700 OPS guy with little power. Morel may slot in as back-up 3B/DH, but could be in OF as a roster spot. Jimenez is a big, slow platoon DH type with little defensive value, but he might make the roster. He hasn’t played OF in several years, and wasn’t very efficient his last few seasons. Rays have him on a minors deal right now.
Most MLB teams carry 6 infielders, 5 outfielders, 2 catchers, and 13 pitchers, and you get your DH from somewhere in there. In IF I think you have Caminero, Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, Jose Cabellero (who can back-up all 3 spots besides 1B), Jonathan Aranda (who is probably the last INF), and Taylor Walls. Walls, Caballero, or Aranda is getting sent down when Kim returns from injury. In the OF, you’ll have at least Josh Lowe, Johnny DeLuca, and Chris Morel. That leaves 2 spots that 5 players are competing for - Palacios, Misner, Peters, Eloy, and Mangum. I could see Jake making it over Peters and Misner, but those other 2 have extended MLB experience…..although I think Eloy is a has-been with no defensive value who won’t stick either way. Now, one thing that could happen is that they drop Aranda or Caballero before Kim comes back…and keep Palacios as a primary infielder, then maybe he’s not in the equation and Jake would only have to beat out 2 guys instead of 3.
Anyway, I’d put Jake’s chances at less than 50% when looking at the whole picture, but a lot greater than 0%. A big advantage he has is that the Rays don’t have much to write home about in the OF spots. The opportunity is there.
Like Running backs in the NFL, hitters have got to make a comeback in MLB. Some team is going to go old school and have all those guys that can actually bat over .300 but might be lower in the power numbers on their MLB roster. We can call it Hitter Ball.
So likely not opening day but I’m assuming he is in good position to be called up at some point in the season to play? I may have missed it but does he have any MLB at bats?
He has no official MLB at-bats in season and has never been called up, but has been up with the Rays in the spring in each of the last 2 years.
Long story short is that a 40-man roster has to come down to 26 for opening day. Jake is either going to make it, or he’s going to be one of the last 2 or 3 cuts. He’s very, very close.
My long post yesterday also didn’t include yesterday’s game results. At the end of the day yesterday, he was 5th in OPS on the entire spring roster, and the leader amongst all outfielders (including Josh Lowe and Jonny DeLuca….their 2 most experienced outfielders). Obviously will climb even more after today. Things are getting interesting.
In OPS he's currently 3rd on the roster at 1.147
Mangum is also 2nd in BA behind Curtis Mead's ridiculous .714 on 15/21 hitting. That dude's been so good I expect the Rays to trade him. (**.. not really?)
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