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Jake Mangum Believes There's No 'Added Pressure' Replacing O'Neil Cruz originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Jake Mangum has taken over as the everyday center fielder with O’Neil Cruz on the injured list.
Cruz is one of the Pirates' best players, so Mangum has had to replace him. Although Mangum is getting more playing time, he said he’s not trying to replace Cruz. Instead, Mangum said he’s just trying to play his game and help the team win any way he can.
“I wouldn’t put any added pressure or anything on it,” Magum said to TribLive. “Center field, that’s my home spot, where I’ve played my whole life. First off, it stinks we’ve lost Cruz. He’s been so big for us. His bat is one of the best bats in the league. I’m going to do all I can to help us win baseball games.
“You asked if it was important for me? No added pressure. Our roles as baseball players is to do our best whenever our name’s called, at whatever position and spot in the lineup, play well. If you do that, you’ll get to hang out in the big leagues for a while. So, no added pressure or anything. If I just continue to play good baseball, I feel like I’m going to help the team win out there — and that’s what I plan to do.”
Mangum is hitting .296 with one home run and 12 RBIs, as he’s a good contact bat, who plays well defensively and adds speed to the lineup.
Pittsburgh traded for Mangum along with Brandon Lowe and Mason Montgomery from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason.
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