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.
Tortugas Unveil Full 2025 Promotional Schedule
PRINTER-FRIENDLY SCHEDULE FULL SCHEDULE AND TICKETS DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—The Daytona Tortugas have unveiled their full promotional schedule for their tenth season of play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The season will be highlighted by the return of several popular theme nights and daily promotions from previous seasons, plus new and exciting
Tortugas Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—In conjunction with the Cincinnati Reds, the Daytona Tortugas announced their coaching and support staff for the 2025 season on Monday afternoon. Manager Willie Harris joins the Tortugas for his first season in Daytona and his first season back in the Reds organization. The 46-year-old most recently served
Daytona Tortugas Release 2025 Schedule
PRINTABLE VERSION DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—In conjunction with the Florida State League and Major League Baseball, the Daytona Tortugas have released their schedule for the 2025 season, the historic tenth season of Tortugas baseball. The Tortugas are scheduled to play 132 games: 66 home and 66 away. They will open the
Nestor Lorant Honored as Florida State League Pitcher of the Year
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—After an outstanding 2024 season, right-hand pitcher Nestor Lorant was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Year on Thursday. Lorant enjoyed a tremendous season on the mound, going 8-3 with a 1.44 ERA in 22 games (seven starts), with 99 strikeouts against just 22 walks over 87.2
Tortugas Bounced Out of Playoffs as Curtain Closes on 2024
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals blasted a tie game wide open with an eight-run fifth inning as the Daytona Tortugas were bounced from the Florida State League playoffs as they were routed 11-2 to bring the 2024 season to a close. Palm Beach (2-0, 83-47) punched their ticket to the
Palm Beach Pummels Daytona Early to Take Series Lead
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Yerlin Confidan doubled, homered, and scored twice, but the Palm Beach Cardinals scored five runs over the first innings and opened the Florida State playoffs by defeating the Daytona Tortugas 8-3 on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Palm Beach (1-0, 83-47) stroked 11 hits and turned three
Tortugas Walk Into Postseason on Henley’s Walk-off Walk
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Kyle Henley’s walk-off walk capped off the 2024 regular season as the Daytona Tortugas finished their final contest before the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the Bradenton Marauders at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Sunday night. Daytona overcame a season-high 16 runners left on base to finish the
Stovall’s Walk-Off Lifts Tortugas to Game Two Win in DH Split
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas were three outs away from being swept in a doubleheader, but Peyton Stovall’s walk-off sacrifice fly capped off a three-run seventh as the Daytona Tortugas bounced back from a 10-5 loss in a suspended game to take game two 5-4 over the Bradenton Marauders on
Tortugas Punch Playoff Ticket Amidst Suspended Game
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Bradenton Marauders stormed in front with a five-run third in what was scheduled to be a Friday night doubleheader, but the Daytona Tortugas were the ones celebrating as a Jupiter Hammerheads loss sent Daytona to the postseason amidst a rain-soaked night that saw game one suspended and
Daytona and Bradenton Washed Out on Thursday
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Thursday night’s contest between the Daytona Tortugas and the Bradenton Marauders has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader of two seven-inning games on Friday, September 6. The first game will start at 5:00 p.m. with the second contest
Stovall Stellar, But Comeback Bid Falls Short
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Peyton Stovall recorded the first three-hit game of his career, but the Daytona Tortugas came up just short in an attempt to erase a pair of five-run deficits as they fell 8-6 to the Bradenton Marauders on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bradenton (24-38, 53-75) slugged four
Tortugas Start Final Week With a Bang; Win 7-2
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Peyton Stovall had two hits, two steals, and an RBI, while Yerlin Confidan and Esmith Pineda drove in two runs apiece as the Daytona Tortugas kicked off the final series of the regular season with a 7-2 victory over the Bradenton Marauders. Daytona (31-27, 62-62) stole a season-high
Tortugas and Cardinals Cancelled on Sunday
JUPITER, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas and Palm Beach Cardinals were cancelled on Sunday afternoon due to rain currently falling and an unfavorable forecast for the afternoon. As the game was the final regular season matchup between the two squads, the contest is officially cancelled and will not be made up. This
Tortugas Fall on Rain-Soaked Saturday
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals and Daytona Tortugas waited nearly two hours to throw the first pitch, but the Cardinals broke the game open with a seven-run fifth in a 12-1 rout over the Tortugas on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (41-17, 78-46) pounded out seven
Tortugas Tamed in 4-1 Setback
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals held the Daytona Tortugas to just one run on seven hits as the Tortugas fell for a second night in a row, dropping a 4-1 decision on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (39-17, 77-46) officially clinched the second half FSL East
Stafura’s Three Hits Can’t Overcome Early Hole
JUPITER, Fla—Sammy Stafura stroked three hits, but the Palm Beach Cardinals built a six-run cushion thanks to a five-run third inning and cruised to an 8-3 victory over the Daytona Tortugas on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (39-17, 76-46) evened the series behind the big third
Tortugas' Final Homestand of 2024 to Feature Elly De La Cruz Bobblehead, Copa de la Diversion, Fan Appreciation
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark Monday September 2nd, to begin their final homestand of the 2024 regular season against the Bradenton Marauders, the Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Among the highlights of the six contests are four college nights for Daytona-area
Brutti’s Hitless Start, Cabrera’s Homer Lead Game Two Win in DH Split
JUPITER, Fla—A late rally fell short in the first game, but Ben Brutti spun 5.0 hitless innings and Ricardo Cabrera crushed a tie-breaking homer as the Daytona Tortugas bounced back from a 4-3 defeat in game one with a 3-1 victory in the second contest over the Palm Beach Cardinals.
Dualvert Dazzles as Tortugas Out-Duel Cardinals 2-0
JUPITER, Fla—Dualvert Gutierrez spun 4.0 strong innings in relief and Luke Hayden finished it off with his first career save as the Daytona Tortugas edged the Palm Beach Cardinals 2-0 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (29-23, 60-58) began a critical seven-game series on the right foot,
Series Ends on Sour Note in 6-0 Shutout
JUPITER, Fla—The Jupiter Hammerheads scored in each of the first four innings and the Daytona Tortugas were held to just three hits as Jupiter took the series final 6-0 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter (25-27, 61-57) stroked 11 hits and handed Daytona (28-23, 59-58) their first
Tortugas Can’t Overcome Early Big Inning in Saturday Setback
JUPITER, Fla—The Jupiter Hammerheads scored five runs in the bottom of the second and kept the Daytona Tortugas at arms length the rest of the way as the Tortugas saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter (24-27, 60-57) snapped
New Faces Come Up Clutch in Comeback 2-1 Win
JUPITER, Fla—Ryan McCrystal swatted an RBI double in his first career two-hit game and Trent Hodgdon nailed down a gritty six-out save in his professional debut as the Daytona Tortugas pulled in front in the eighth inning to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads 2-1 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet
Tortugas Score Twice in Ninth to Steal 2-1 Victory
JUPITER, Fla—After eight scoreless innings offensively, the Daytona Tortugas scratched across two runs in the top of the ninth inning to steal a 2-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (27-21, 58-56) won their third straight game in the series as Jupiter
Almonte’s Blast, Stovall’s Strong Debut Pace 7-1 Victory
JUPITER, Fla—Ariel Almonte crushed his 20th home run of the season while Peyton Stovall tripled and reached base three times in his professional debut as the Daytona Tortugas led wire-to-wire in a 7-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Wednesday night. Daytona (26-21, 57-56) took advantage of five Jupiter (23-25,
Big Nights at the Plate, On the Mound Pace 12-1 Rout to Open Trip
JUPITER, Fla—Ricardo Cabrera, Yerlin Confidan, and Malvin Valdez all have multiple hits and RBIs, while Adrian Herrera spurned any chance of a comeback with 4.0 scoreless innings as the Daytona Tortugas routed the Jupiter Hammerheads 12-1 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (25-21, 56-56) bounced back from