STARKVILLE — Jake Mangum was trying to unwind.
Fresh off a trip to the NCAA tournament Super Regionals with the Mississippi State baseball team and prior to playing in the Cape Cod League in Massachusetts, Mangum was with family Tuesday in Florida when his phone started ringing.
Offers were coming in from teams with picks early in the second day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft. Mangum’s gut reaction was one he couldn’t deny.
“I’ve loved every minute of wearing the maroon and white and two years isn’t enough. It really isn’t enough,” Mangum told The Dispatch. “I’m getting calls (Tuesday) and I’m thinking, ‘I’ve been here for two years. That doesn’t even feel right.’ ”
After those conversations, Mangum ultimately wasn’t selected Tuesday. On Wednesday, the New York Yankees used the 902nd pick in the 30th round to select Mangum, but the sophomore
outfielder told The Dispatch he will return to MSU for his junior year.
“I love it. I love Starkville. I love Mississippi State. Two years is not enough to wear that uniform,” Mangum said. “I want that third year to get better under (MSU) coach (Andy) Cannizaro. That’s a huge reason, another year under coach Cannizaro to develop my game.”
Mangum has another motivation.
“I want to win the first national championship for this school,” he said. “Starkville — I said it after my freshman year when we won the SEC — Starkville deserves a national championship. I think being here for three years and giving it everything I have for three years is all I can do.”
Mangum, a 6-foot, 185-pounder from Pearl, was third in batting average (.324) this season for MSU (40-27), which lost to LSU in two games in the best-of-three NCAA tournament Super Regional in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was second on the team in hits (90) and runs (510) and tied for second in doubles (15). He was named second-team All-SEC and earned a place on the league’s All-Defensive team.
The former standout at Jackson Prep was named 2016 SEC Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-SEC performer after leading the league in hitting (.408).
Utility man Cody Brown didn’t pass up an offer from the Yankees. Brown went undrafted, but he signed a deal with the Yankees after a senior season that saw him start at first base, second base, third base, and left field. He ended his final season at MSU with a .323 batting average, a .433 on-base percentage, and 42 RBIs, second behind only Southeastern Conference Triple Crown candidate Brent Rooker.
While Mangum’s choice has been made, another teammate has one to make. The Oakland Athletics selected MSU shortstop Ryan Gridley in the 11th round with the 321st pick.
Gridley hit .327 this season, which was second to Rooker among full-time hitters. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors. Mangum said he was going to give Gridley time to celebrate his selection before he announced his decision.
As of print time, Gridley hadn’t announced if he would take the offer or return for his senior season.
Three MSU signees who were drafted Wednesday have announced they will come to MSU: Josh Hatcher and Tanner Allen. Hatcher, an outfielder from Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, was taken by the Los Angeles Angels in the 39th round with the 1,165th pick. Allen, an outfielder out of UMS Wright in Mobile, Alabama, was taken with the 1,095 pick in the 36th round by the Chicago Cubs.
Another Alabama product, Jordan Anderson of James Clemens High in Madison, also announced he will forgo his draft position and play for MSU. Anderson was drafted in the 40th and final round by the Texas Rangers.
MSU signee Bryce Hutchinson, a pitcher from DeLand High School in DeLand, Florida, also was selected Wednesday. He reportedly is planning on signing with the New York Mets after they selected him in the 12th round with the 367th pick.
As of press time, MSU signee Chad Bryant was undecided. The Rangers selected Bryant in the 39th round with the 1,184th pick. Bryant was drafted out of Thomasville High School in Alabama.
n NOTES: Three MSU players earned All-America and American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region honors Wednesday. Rooker, a redshirt junior, led the pack as he was named a first-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game. He also was named ABCA South All-Region First Team. Gridley was named to the ABCA South All-Region’s second team. After recording 14 saves, freshman relief pitcher Spencer Price was named a third-team All-American by Perfect Game. Southern Mississippi freshman outfielder Matt Wallner earned first-team All-America honors, while sophomore relief pitcher Nick Sandlin garnered a second-team nod from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Wednesday.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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