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.
Josiah Viera to be honored on Spikes' Aug. 20 jerseys
On what would have been his 19th birthday, all of us at the State College Spikes are honored to announce that on Sunday, August 20, our friend and teammate Josiah Viera will be featured on jerseys that will be worn by the entire team, which will go up for bids
May the Fourth be with you - Star Wars Night & more lead added promos
A short time from now, in a ballpark not too far away from here, the State College Spikes will give fans even more reasons to cheer this season, with the return of Star Wars Night as part of Comic-Con Night on Friday, July 14 and 12 Themed FIREWORKS Shows leading
Spikes unveil 2023 promotional schedule
State College Spikes fans will have a wide variety of promotions and special events to look forward to during a 40-game home schedule this summer, highlighted by 12 fantastic FIREWORKS shows, a slate of legendary bobbleheads, and the return of $1 Beer Nights. Single-game tickets for each of these games
SpikesFest 2023 to be held at Medlar Field on April 8
SpikesFest 2023 presented by Mount Nittany Health and media sponsors Seven Mountains Media and WTAJ is coming back to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Saturday, April 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., headlining a unique doubleheader at the home of the State College Spikes and Penn State Baseball.
Spikes complete 2023 coaching staff
The State College Spikes 2023 coaching staff has been rounded out as former MLB pitcher Jerome Williams, along with former MLB draft picks Tim Battle Jr. and Jesus Azuaje, will serve under manager Dave Trembley for the upcoming MLB Draft League season. Williams comes to the Spikes as pitching coach
Dave Trembley to return as Spikes manager in 2023
The State College Spikes will have a familiar face in the dugout this season as Dave Trembley, who managed the Baltimore Orioles from 2007-10 and brings over 35 years of experience coaching at nearly every level of baseball with him, will manage the Spikes for the second consecutive season. Trembley
Spikes to throw Sean Clifford Retirement Party with Bobblehead Giveaway
The State College Spikes are giving a fitting farewell to a QB who’s been around the block and back in Happy Valley with the Sean Clifford Retirement Party, in partnership with Limitless NIL, set for Saturday, July 15 at Medlar Field. The fun will feature a Sean Clifford Bobblehead Giveaway
Spikes unveil 2023 MLB Draft League schedule
Download the Spikes' 2023 schedule PDF here! The State College Spikes’ 2023 schedule has been released, with the 40 home games on the regular season slate matching the most in franchise history. The Spikes’ 2023 home season will begin with Opening Night on Friday, June 2 against the Williamsport Crosscutters
Spikes celebrate season finale with fans on Sunday
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes completed the biggest regular-season schedule in franchise history on Sunday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, packing plenty of action into a five-inning finale against the Trenton Thunder, including the last FIREWORKS from the Field show of the
Nichols superb, Spikes' bats come alive to top Thunder
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Beau Nichols allowed just one unearned run over 5 2/3 innings in his last home start of the season, and the Spikes pounded their way to a 9-1 lead before coasting to a 9-4 win on Saturday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano
Spikes fall to Thunder despite Kengott's quality start
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Jared Kengott delivered a quality start on the mound in his last scheduled outing of the 2022 season for the State College Spikes, but the Trenton Thunder surged late to take a 9-0 decision on Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Taylor provides one-man show, but Spikes knocked out of hunt
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Trent Taylor smashed two doubles, reached base four times, scored a run, and stole two bases, but it wasn’t enough for the State College Spikes as their playoff hopes were dashed with a 7-1 defeat against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday night
Enjoy a Blue & White Night with the Spikes on Thursday
The State College Spikes are home at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, and fans looking to enjoy Penn State football’s season opener at Purdue on the same night can have the best of both worlds at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. During the Spikes’ matchup against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, fans
Spikes' late drive falls short against Scrappers
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – One night before they will welcome fans to watch games on the diamond and the gridiron at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the State College Spikes used a late surge to get close to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers before the clock ran out
Summers closes well, but Spikes fall to Scrappers
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Jayson Summers was nearly unhittable in four innings of relief for the State College Spikes, but the Mahoning Valley Scrappers used a pair of early homers to take a lead they would not relinquish in a 4-0 win over the Spikes on Tuesday
Bailey, Adams help Spikes skate past Crosscutters
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Dawson Bailey recorded his second four-hit game of the weekend and Colin Adams delivered a double and a triple as he knocked in two runs, with both helping the State College Spikes draw to within a game of the Williamsport Crosscutters thanks to
Nichols solid in relief, but Spikes fall to Crosscutters
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Beau Nichols delivered five innings of one-run ball on the mound in the midst of the game for the State College Spikes, but the Williamsport Crosscutters generated flurries early and late to take a 9-1 decision on Saturday night at Medlar Field at
Reller homers, Spikes capture crucial win over 'Cutters
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Brock Reller’s three-run homer in the eighth inning was the crowning blow of the State College Spikes’ 16-hit barrage on Friday night, and Jared Kengott contributed a quality start on the mound to help the Spikes defeat the Williamsport Crosscutters, 8-4, at Muncy Bank
Taylor bolsters triples lead, Spikes fall to Scrappers
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY NILES, Ohio – Trent Taylor notched his MLB Draft League-leading fifth triple of the season as part of a multi-hit night, but the Mahoning Valley Scrappers dealt the State College Spikes a 4-1 defeat on Thursday night at Eastwood Field to drop the Spikes two games back
Battaglia makes strong start, Spikes fall to Scrappers
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY NILES, Ohio – Joe Battaglia tossed five strong innings for the State College Spikes on Wednesday night, but the Mahoning Valley Scrappers downed the Spikes to take a 3-2 decision at Eastwood Field. Battaglia allowed just one unearned run in the opening inning on Ron Washington’s RBI
Spikes rout Scrappers, 14-2, behind Davenport, 16 hits
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY NILES, Ohio – Louis Davenport III gave the State College Spikes another superb outing on the mound, and the Spikes collected 16 hits as a time to go wire-to-wire with a 14-2 victory over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night at Eastwood Field. Davenport (2-0), who
Spikes' Davenport named MLB Draft League Pitcher of the Week
The Major League Baseball Draft League announced on Tuesday that State College Spikes right-hander Louis Davenport III was named the MLB Draft League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 15-21. Davenport tied the Spikes’ all-time single-game record with 12 strikeouts against Mahoning Valley on Tuesday, August 16.
Spikes drop 6-2 decision to Crosscutters on Sunday
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, but the Williamsport Crosscutters held on to defeat the Spikes, 6-2, on Sunday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Trailing by four runs entering the ninth, the
Taylor stretches streak to 19 games, Spikes fall to W'port
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Trent Taylor collected a trio of hits to extend his hitting streak to 19 games, and Luis Aviles crushed a three-run homer, but a six-run first for the Williamsport Crosscutters was too much for the State College Spikes to overcome as their seven-game