Switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje is having a fine first professional season. He’s logged 33.1 innings, struck out 35 batters, and limited opponents to a .174 average. He’s also walked nearly 15% of the batters he’s faced and allowed six home runs.
Lest we forget, though, Cijntje pitches with both arms, and he’s much stronger from the right side. He’s struggled considerably in terms of throwing strikes as a lefty, but he’s dominated as a right-handed pitcher:
Sunday, on an extra day’s rest, Cijntje went six innings, allowing one hit and two bases on balls. He struck out five, and again struggled as a lefty and was terrific from his best side.
Contrary to some doubters who found me on social media over the weekend, Cijntje is not simply throwing gas to get out High-A hitters. He’s showing the complete arsenal. The heat is up to 98 mph most times out and comfortably 94-96 with above-average control and at least average command. But his breaking ball has been plus, too, and he shows off a promising changeup enough to buy into it long-term.
This is Cijntje from Sunday’s outing. Note the whiff on the changeup (5th pitch), slider, and fastball, and the varied breaking ball — one that dives down and away from righties, and one more cutter-like, which he threw for a called strike three (2nd pitch).
As a right-handed pitcher, Cijntje is where he should be, and with the club backing off some of the separate work from the left side, the chance Cijntje earns his way to Double-A to end the season is decent.
Seattle Sports Mariners Insider Shannon Drayer spoke to the club’s Director of Pitching Strategy, Trent Blank, about the development plans for Cijntje and Ryan Sloan this season right here. Blank mentioned the club’s aggression with Cijtnje as a right-hander is growing.
But he’s my No. 3 prospect in the system for a reason, and it has almost zilch to do with the fact he can pitch from both sides. It’s about how good he can be as a right-hander, and in a starting role.
