Photo courtesy of Mississippi State Athletics
The New York Mets have announced they have signed 2019 fourth round draft pick Jake Mangum. The team was now just able to sign Mangum as Mississippi State University was eliminated by Louisville in the College World Series last week.
In his senior season, Mangum hit .355/.411/.462 with 22 doubles, three triples, one homer, and 39 RBI. He also stole 22 bases in 28 attempts. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline calls Mangum, “one of top senior signs in @MLBDraft, contact hitter with well above-average speed, good defender with plus arm in CF.”
What’s interesting is Mangum was drafted by the Mets last year in the 32nd Round. What’s interesting is when the pick was announced, Mangum was announced as a left-handed pitcher and not a center fielder. In his college career, Mangum had only pitched in six games as Sophomore. He was 2-1 with a 6.46 ERA.
Mangum received a signing bonus of $20,000 which is well under the $487,900 slot bonus for the 118th overall pick in the draft. In signing Mangum for well under the slot value, the Mets have freed up more signing bonus they could offer third round draft pick Matthew Allan.
According to MMN‘s Christopher Soto, the team may give Allan a signing bonus of $2,523,830 before surpassing the second level of bonus penalties. Those penalties include a $308,000 tax bill and the loss of the 2020 first round draft pick.
There have been conflicting reports as to how much bonus money Allan, a Scott Boras advisee, would command to sign and forego his commitment to Florida. As noted by Baseball America, that amount was rumored to be around $4 million. Despite these rumors, the Mets had steadfastly maintained they will be able to sign Allan. The Mets have until July 12 to get it done.
