One of the most intriguing prospects in MLB history has joined the Seattle Mariners’ farm system.
The Mariners are well-known for developing great pitchers, and their latest project may be the most intriguing yet.
Jurrangelo Cijntje is a switch-pitcher, making him one of the most unique prospects in Major League Baseball history.
There are many switch-hitters in Major League Baseball who bat from both sides of the plate.
However, there is not a single switch-pitcher in the entire MLB.
If Cijntje makes it to the Mariners’ major league roster, he will be the first to do so since 2020.
Pat Venditte was the last player to switch-pitch, doing so as a reliever for six different teams between 2015 and 2020.
Venditte became the first player to do so since Greg Harris of the Montreal Expos did so in 1995. He was the only player to do so during the twentieth century.
There have only been a few pitchers in baseball history who have switched pitches, and Cijntje could be the best.
He made his professional debut for High-A Everett on April 5 and demonstrated the talent that earned him the 15th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Cijntje struck out six batters in four innings of work, allowing only a single and two walks.
There were no runs scored against him.
All six of his strikeouts came as a right-handed pitcher, which he did 11 times. Right-handed batters went 1 for 11 against him.
Cijntje threw left-handed three times. Left-handed batters went 0 for 1 with two walks against him.
There are far more right-handed batters than left-handed batters, so it will be difficult for Cijntje to develop equally.
He has, however, discussed how he is working to improve his left-handed pitching.
“I probably throw more from the right side, but we’ve developed a sinker from the left side that’s getting much better,” Cijntje told MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis.
“And the slider looks more like a sweeper now. Everything is improving from both sides.
“Even though I’m going to throw more from the right side, but from the left side, the stuff is getting better.”
Cijntje also told Callis how he trains to maintain his talent on both sides.
“It’s a lot of work, but… if you’re actually trying to stay healthy, you’ve got to do everything on both sides,” he told me.
“So, whatever I do with my right arm, I always do with my left arm as well.
“I’m always trying to be consistent and always working my butt off in trying to be the best that I can.”
Cijntje is the Mariners’ No. 9 prospect, and he is expected to be MLB-ready in 2027.
