Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening.
The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,” knowing the likelihood of what eventually took place during MLB Spring Breakout at Goodyear Ballpark.
Pitching in his first true game-like environment since being selected in the first round of last summer’s MLB Draft, Cijntje knew that he’d be called upon Friday after lefty Brandyn Garcia. But he wasn’t quite sure he’d match up against Bazzana, who was taken 14 picks ahead of him at No. 1 overall and was batting in the No. 2 hole.
Sometimes in baseball, the stars align.
Cijntje, who was seen warming in the bullpen with both arms before Garcia worked out of a fourth-inning jam, opted to go left-on-left against Bazzana to start the fifth, inducing a hard-chopping groundout to shortstop Brock Rodden on the first pitch. Cijntje then flipped his glove over and pitched right-handed the rest of the way -- even against seven more left-handed hitters.
“There was a lot of adrenaline," said Cijntje, who is the Mariners’ No. 9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. “I couldn’t even control my body, but I fought through it.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Fate brought Bazzana back to the batter’s box for Cijntje’s final at-bat of the night, which was even more fascinating.
Cijntje took off his glove between batters as if he was going to go lefty to Bazzana, as he did the first time, but he surprised most when he instead remained righty. Cijntje then blew a 97 mph elevated four-seam fastball by Bazzana for a swinging strike three in a punctuating conclusion to his night.
“That's something special,” said Bazzana, Cleveland’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 10 overall prospect in the game. “You don't really see that ever. I think he's got a bright future, and it was cool to battle.”
You don't see this every day. #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/BC6QmG43JR
— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) March 15, 2025
So, Cijntje’s first pitch of the outing was also his final from the left side, given that Bazzana swung and made contact right away, while his 39 other pitches over two innings were thrown right-handed. In total, he surrendered one unearned run on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
“I was already in a rhythm, and I was like, ‘I'm going to keep throwing from my right side,” Cijntje said.
There was also awe from his teammates.
“Dude, stop it,” said Mariners No. 12 prospect Tai Peete, who went 3-for-3 with a 422-foot homer and a stolen base while playing center field. “I thought it was funny when he switched on the mound and everyone started cheering.”
The decision-making calculus for Cijntje to go right vs. left on Friday hinted at how the Mariners will leverage his ambidextrous skill set as he embarks on his player-development path.
Seattle intends to develop Cijntje as a right-handed starter, which is his better pitching arm and possesses a denser arsenal that features a higher-velocity four-seamer, slider, cutter and changeup. But the Mariners also don’t want to sacrifice his lefty skill, because there is plus potential from that side, where he’s up to 93 mph with a sinker/slider combo.
“It's going to be development-based more than matchup-based,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said. “Obviously, you want to put him in positions to succeed, and I don't think we want to put him in positions where he's pitching to a lot of right-handed hitters left-handed. But I do think we're all in alignment that he needs to develop right-handed to work against the platoon matchup. It can't be every left-handed hitter that comes up.”
There will be expected fluidity to Cijntje’s routine.
The early plan is for him to start righty, and he may pitch left-on-left within that start but probably not all of them. Then in his in-between side session, which would come three days later, he’d do so right-handed, then pitch an inning in relief while left-handed in whatever game falls on that same day.
“There is not a blueprint here at all,” Hollander said. “We want to be honest. We don't want to talk confidently about how we definitely know the right answer here, because we definitely don't know the right answer. And I'm sure we'll have to make adjustments along the way.”
The Mariners have an idea of which Minor League affiliate that Cijntje will begin the season with, but they haven’t yet told him. His goal is to reach Double-A Arkansas by season’s end.
There will certainly be learning curves along the way, but his fascinating path to the Majors got started in a Breakout way on Friday night.
Daniel Kramer covers the Mariners for MLB.com.
Orbit Wins USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best Minor League Baseball Mascot
USA TODAY announced this morning that Orbit, the Isotopes loveable mascot, has won the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Minor League Baseball Mascot, as voted on by fans in a nationwide contest. Orbit was one of 20 Minor League Baseball mascots chosen by a panel of experts and USA
Isotopes Announce Return of "Jackie Robinson Night" Art and Essay Project
As part of their 2025 “Jackie Robinson Night” on Tuesday, April 15, the Albuquerque Isotopes today announced the return of the “Jackie Robinson Night” Art and Essay Project, an initiative for students to create a reflective piece about the Baseball and Civic Rights icon. Students grades K-12 who complete and
Isotopes Unveil New Concessions Lineup For 2025 Season
The Albuquerque Isotopes today unveiled new concessions items that will be featured during this season at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Here is the starting lineup for new major players on the 2025 concessions menu: New Entrée Options (Available at Pecos River near section 120): The Ballpark
Isotopes Unveil "City Roots" Alternate Identity & "Duke City 505-Pack"
The Albuquerque Isotopes today unveiled their City Roots series, a new alternate identity that pays homage to the origin of Albuquerque’s name and the rich cultural history found in the heart of the 505. The club also introduced the Duke City 505-Pack, which guarantees a Box Level ticket to each
Isotopes Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
The Albuquerque Isotopes announced the promotional schedule for the club’s upcoming 2025 season, presented by New Mexico Aging Services. The slate is filled with 16 Fireworks Shows, six Mariachis games, Dukes Retro Night, July 4th, Green Chile Cheeseburgers Night and numerous other theme nights and giveaways. Highlights of the giveaways
ISOTOPES ANNOUNCE START TIMES FOR 2024 HOME SCHEDULE
The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced game times for all 75 home contests for the 2024 season, including 11 day contests, six Sunday matinee games and all holiday contests. - Home Opener on Friday, March 29 vs. El Paso is set for 6:35 pm - 11 day games, including seven on
ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES ANNOUNCE NEW OWNER DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced its new ownership partner Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select Minor League clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB). The Isotopes will remain in Albuquerque as the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies under the leadership of
SAVANNAH BANANAS 2024 WORLD TOUR COMING TO ALBUQUERQUE
The Savannah Bananas are bringing their “World Famous Baseball Circus” to RGCU Field at Isotopes Park on April 20-21, 2024. Affectionately referred to as “The Greatest Show in Sports” by ESPN with an atmosphere that would “make most Major League Baseball teams jealous,” according to Sports Illustrated, the Bananas have
Coco Montes Named to PCL Post-Season All-Star Team
Albuquerque Isotopes infielder Coco Montes has been named to the Pacific Coast League’s Post-Season All-Star team as the utility player, it was announced today by Major League Baseball. The Miami native adds one more accolade to his recent flurry, as he was voted by his Isotopes teammates as Most Valuable
PCL ATTENDANCE LEADERS, RECORD-SETTING ON-FIELD PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHT 2023 CAMPAIGN
The Albuquerque Isotopes completed their 20th season of play Sunday, a campaign that saw several historical achievements. For the first time ever, RGCU Field at Isotopes Park welcomed the highest cumulative total of fans in the Pacific Coast League, as 521,521 customers walked through the turnstiles in 2023. The cumulative
ISOTOPES ANNOUNCE 2023 PLAYER AWARD WINNERS
The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced their annual end-of-season player awards in an on-field ceremony prior to Saturday's contest. Infielder Coco Montes was chosen by his teammates as the club’s Most Valuable Player after slashing .318/.402/.555 with 22 homers, 26 doubles, five triples, 59 walks and 89 RBI in 106 games.
Isotopes Secure PCL Attendance Crown, Rally Late For 6-4 Triumph
Albuquerque, NM – The cardiac Isotopes came up with one more rally Saturday evening, continuing to play well in the final stages of this campaign. Albuquerque overcame a 3-1 deficit by plating two runs in the sixth, then three more in the seventh, surging past Oklahoma City in the season’s
ISOTOPES UNVEIL 2024 HOME SCHEDULE
The Albuquerque Isotopes unveiled their 2024 home season schedule today that features the earliest regular season Home Opener in franchise history. “With this season wrapping up, we are thrilled for our 2024 home schedule and we’ve already started planning all the exciting events taking place throughout next season,” Isotopes General
Isotopes Win 2023 Season Finale, 2-1
Albuquerque, NM – The Isotopes finished the 2023 campaign with a 2-1 triumph over the Oklahoma City Dodgers after Jameson Hannah plated the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on an RBI single to left and complete the come-from-behind victory and earn a series split Sunday afternoon at RGCU Field
Gordon Twirls Masterpiece as Isotopes Blank Dodgers, 7-0
Albuquerque, NM – It was a night to remember for the newcomers Friday. Right-handed pitcher Tanner Gordon finished his campaign with a sterling seven-inning performance in which he allowed just three hits without permitting a run. Julio Carreras and Braxton Fulford, both recently up from Double-A Hartford, each homered with
Montaño, Morales, Bullpen Lead Albuquerque to 6-4 Victory
El Paso, TX – A mix of early offense and clutch pitching late was enough to keep the Albuquerque Isotopes in the playoff hunt on Saturday. Daniel Montaño highlighted a three-run opening frame with a two-run double, Jonathan Morales later added a two-run clout, while the bullpen worked four scoreless
Herron's Ninth-Inning Blast Gives Isotopes Wild 9-8 Victory
El Paso, TX – After a seemingly comfortable five-run lead evaporated and created a tense contest, Jimmy Herron once again had an answer. The Isotopes do-it-all star crushed a go-ahead home run to start the ninth inning, and the blast held up for the decisive margin in Albuquerque’s 9-8 victory