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.
Grasshoppers Defeated the BlueClaws 8-4, and Took the Series 4-2
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 8-4 on Sunday, April 20 and took the series 4-2. The Grasshoppers improved to 11-8 on the season while the BlueClaws fell to 5-10. Greensboro outhit Jersey Shore 9-8 as both teams had one mishap. Outfielder Shalin Polanco led
Nine Hits Lift the Grasshoppers Over the BlueClaws, 9-4
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 9-4 on Saturday evening. The Grasshoppers improved to 10-4 on the season while the BlueClaws fell to 5-9. Greensboro outhit Jersey Shore 9-6 as the Grasshoppers had one mishap. Outfielder Enmanuel Terrero led the Grasshoppers offense as he went
Rivas’ Walk-Off Lifts the Grasshoppers Over the BlueClaws 10-9
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Rivas led the Greensboro Grasshoppers to defeat the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 10-9 on Friday, April 18. The Grasshoppers improved to 9-4 on the season while the BlueClaws fell to 5-8. Greensboro outhit Jersey Shore 16-9 as the Grasshoppers had two mishaps. Infielder Javier Rivas led the Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers Fall to the BlueClaws, 8-6 in Extra Innings Thursday Evening
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Greensboro Grasshoppers dropped to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, 88-6 in extra innings on Thursday, April 17. The BlueClaws improved to 5-7 on the season while the Grasshoppers fell to 8-4. Jersey Shore outhit Greensboro 9-8, while the Grasshoppers had one mishap. Infielder Keiner Delgado led the
Grasshoppers Defeat the BlueClaws, 4-0 on Wednesday Evening
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeat the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 4-0, on Wednesday, April 16. The Grasshoppers improved to 8-3 on the season while the BlueClaws fell to 4-7. Greensboro outhit Jersey Shore 8-3 as the Grasshoppers had one mishap. Infielder Keiner Delgado led the Grasshoppers offense as he
Grasshoppers Fall to the BlueClaws, 12-3, in First Game of its Home Series
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers fall 12-3 against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in the first game of its home series on Tuesday, April 15. The BlueClaws improved to 4-6 on the season while the Grasshoppers fell to 7-3. Jersey Shore outhit Greensboro 16-8 while the Grasshoppers had two mishaps.
Grasshoppers Fall to the Tourists 12-10, in the Final Game of Opening Weekend Series
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Greensboro Grasshoppers fell to the Asheville Tourists, 12-10 in the final game of its Opening Weekend series. The Tourists improved to 1-2 on the season while the Grasshoppers fell to 2-1. Asheville outhit Greensbor0 14-11 as both teams had two mishaps. Designated hitter Maikol Escotto led
Grasshoppers Take Second Game of Home Opener Series, 13-2 Against the Tourists
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers take the second game of their Home Opener series against the Asheville Tourists, 13-2. The Grasshoppers improved to 2-0 on the season while the Tourists fell to 0-2. Greensboro outhit Asheville 12-5 as the Tourists had two mishaps. Leading at dish for the Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers Take Opening Day with a 12-3 Victory over the Tourists
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeat the Ashville Tourists, 12-3 on Opening Day, Friday April 4. The Grasshoppers improve to 1-0 on the season while the Tourists fall to 0-1. Greensboro outhit Asheville 11-3 with two Hopper mishaps. Leading at the dish for the Grasshoppers was catcher Omar Alfonzo
Greensboro Native, Blake Butler, Returns Home to Lead the Greensboro Grasshoppers with a Mix of Familiar and Fresh Faces
GREEENSBORO, N.C. – Greensboro native and Southeast Guilford High School alumnus, Blake Butler, will return to lead the Greensboro Grasshoppers on the field as the team’s manager for 2025 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates revealed this week as part of its player development assignments for the upcoming season. Butler returns at
Grasshoppers Fell 4-2 to the Renegades in Game 3 of the 2024 SAL Divisional Playoffs
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers fell 4-1 to the Hudson Valley Renegades on Friday, September 13 for Game 3 of the 2024 SAL Divisional Playoffs. The Grasshoppers finished 36-29 in the second half of the season and 1-2 in its 2024 playoff run. Hudson Valley outhit Greensboro 7-4 as
Grasshoppers Continue Their Playoff Run With a 3-1 Win Over the Renegades
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades, 3-1 on Thursday September 12 to continue their playoff run. The Grasshoppers improved to 1-1 in postseason while the Renegades fell to 1-1. Hudson Valley outhit Greensboro 5-3 while the Renegades had two mishaps. Hits for the Grasshoppers were
Grasshoppers Take 6-0 Loss in Game One of SAL Division Playoffs Against the Renegades
HUDSON VALLEY, N.Y. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers fell 6-0 to the Hudson Valley Renegades on Tuesday, September 10. The Renegades improved to 1-0 in the 2024 SAL Division Playoffs while the Grasshoppers fell to 0-1. Hudson Valley outhit Greensboro 8-4 while the Grasshoppers had one mishap. Hits for the Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers Take the Series Win Against the Hot Rods with a 6-2 Win on Sunday
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers took a series win against the Bowling Green Hot Rods with a 6-2 on Sunday, September 8. The Grassshoppers improved to 36-29 on the second half of the season while the Hot Rods fell to 39-34. Bowling Green outhit Greensboro 12-7 while the Hot
Grasshoppers Extends Their Win Streak Over the Hot Rods with a 1-0 Win Saturday Evening
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 1-0 on Saturday September 7. The Grasshoppers improved to 35-29 on the season while the Hot Rods fell to 39-33 as both teams tallied three hits. Infielder Omar Alfonzo led the Grasshoppers offense as he went 1-3 with
Grasshoppers Take Down the Hot Rods 4-3, Friday Evening
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers topped the Bowling Green Hot Rods 4-3 on Friday September 6. The Grasshoppers improved to 34-29 on the second half of the season while the Hot Rods fell to 39-22. Both teams had six hits while the Grasshoppers had two mishaps. Infielder Jack Brannigan
Grasshoppers Defeat the Hot Rods, 5-4 Thursday Evening
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 5-4 on Thursday, September 5. The Grasshoppers improved to 33-29 on the second half of the season while the Hot Rods fell to 39-21. Bowling Green outhit Greensboro 7-6 while the Grasshoppers had two mishaps. Infielder Mitch Jebb
Grasshoppers Eight Hits Lift Them 2-1 Over the Hot Rods on Wednesday Evening
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers beat the Bowling Green Hot Rods 2-1 on Wednesday, September 4. The Grasshoppers improved to 32-29 on the second half of the season while the Hot Rods fell to 39-20 as Greensboro outhit Bowling Green 8-1. Catcher Omar Alfonzo led the Grasshoppers offense as
Grasshoppers Drop 5-4 to the Hot Rods in the First Game of Their Final Home Series
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers dropped 5-4 in the first game of its home series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Tuesday, September 3. The Hot Rods improved to 39-19 on the season while the Grasshoppers fell to 31-29 as Bowling Green outhit Greensboro 10-6. Catcher Omar Alfonzo
Grasshoppers Take the Series Win with a 5-4 Victory Over the Tourists
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeat the Asheville Tourists, 5-4 in the final game of its home series to take the series win. The Grasshoppers improved to 28-25 on the second half of the season while the Tourists fell to 20-34. Greensboro outhit Asheville 8-7 while the Tourists had
Grasshoppers 10 Hits Lift Them Over the Tourists, 10-6
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Asheville Tourists, 10-6 on Saturday, August 24. The Grasshoppers improved to 27-25 on the second half of the season while the Tourists fell to 20-33. Greensboro outhit Asheville 10-7 as the Tourists had four mishaps to the Grasshoppers one. Infielder Mitch Jebb
Grasshoppers Shutout the Tourists, 4-0 to Continue Their Win Streak Over the Tourists
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers shutout the Asheville Tourists, 4-0 on Friday, August 23. The Grasshoppers improved to 26-25 on the second half of the season while the Tourists fell to 20-32. Greensboro outhit Asheville 6-1 as the Tourists had one mishap. Designated hitter, Termarr Johnson led at the
Grasshoppers Eighth Inning Come Back Takes the Tourists, 5-4
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers come back against the Asheville Tourists to take the win, 5-4 on Thursday, August 22. The Grasshoppers improved to 25-25 on the second half of the season while the Tourists fell to 20-31. Asheville outhit Greensboro 9-4 while the Tourists had one mishap to
Grasshoppers Fall to the Tourists, 5-3 Wednesday Evening
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Greensboro Grasshoppers fell to the Asheville Tourists, 5-3 on Wednesday, August 21. The Tourists improved to 20-30 on the second half of the season while the Grasshoppers fell to 24-25. Asheville outhit Greensboro 11-4 while the Tourists had two mishaps to the Grasshoppers one. Infielder Mitch
Grasshoppers Drop to the Tourists, 6-1 in the First Game of its Home Series
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Greensboro Grasshoppers dropped the first game of its home series against the Asheville Tourists, 6-1 on Tuesday evening. The Tourists improved to 18-30 on the second half of the season while the Grasshoppers fell to 24-23. Asheville outhit Greensboro 7-4 while the Grasshoppers had one mishap.