Yogi Berra might have described Jurrangelo Cijntje as amphibious. The rest of us would describe the Seattle Mariners’ first-round choice in the 2024 MLB Draft as a very rare switch-pitcher.
Cijntje is an ambidextrous hurler from Mississippi State, which means he can pitch efficiently with both his left and right hands.
Seattle selected Cijntje No. 15 overall after he earned 16 starts for an NCAA Tournament team in 2024. He posted a 3.67 ERA, 113 strikeouts in 90.2 innings, and a 1.10 WHIP.
MLB Pipeline ranked Cijntje as the No. 25 prospect in this year’s MLB Draft class, but given the potential for a Major League matchup nightmare, the Mariners perceived a higher upside.
Mariners will allow Jurrangelo Cijntje to continue pitching from both sides.
Seattle isn’t about to decide whether Cijntje should pitch left-handed or right-handed in the future, or if he should stick with switching.
“We’re going to let Jurrangelo make that decision to start,” Mariners amateur scouting director Scott Hunter told MLB.com. “That’s the enjoyable part about it. There is a significant benefit if he accomplishes both. I do not believe it will be a true left today, right tomorrow. It’s more about perhaps selecting matchups and seeing how It works in the minor leagues. But it’s definitely a choice to keep going.”
The possible disadvantage of Cijntje continuing from both sides is that it would hinder him from refining top skills as either a lefty or righty. MLB.com describes him as a natural lefty who throws harder on the right side. As a lefty pitcher, he pairs his slightly softer fastball with a sweeping breaking ball.
According to Max Ellingsen of Lookout Landing, analysts expect him to throw as a righty in the end.
Ellingsen also shared another nugget from Hunter, who revealed another area of possible growth for their first-round MLB Draft pick.
“When we sat with him at the combine and discussed his pitches, he gets a lot of action on his four-seam fastball, and he doesn’t even use a two seamer yet,” Hunter told me. “Introducing a two seamer, that he actually has a natural feel for without even holding the grip, really excites us.”
Jurrangelo Cijntje: Making of His Makeup
Cijntje’s two most important influences appear to be his father, Mechangelo, and Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Cijntje learned to throw right-handed because, as he said to Gabe Lacques of USA Today, “I wanted to be like my dad.”
Mechangelo was a pro baseball player from the Netherlands.
With a tiny 5’11 body, he says he models his playing after Stroman, who stands 5’8.
Lacques went on to say that, while some may want to compare Cijntje to recent MLB switch-pitcher Pat Venditte, the connection is not appropriate.
“The most recent ambidextrous pitcher in the majors was a serviceable reliever a decade ago. Lacques stated, “He did not run his fastball up to 97 mph, instead sitting at 95 with a handful of delectable secondary offerings to entice hitters.”Cijntje may be able to continue switch-pitching through the minors and into the majors. If that happens, MLB rules allow him to swap hands throughout the game as long as he notifies which hand he will pitch with before each plate appearance and, unless injured, does not switch hands in the middle of an at bat.
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