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.
Offertunity Knocks: RailRiders announce two special deals
MOOSIC, PA (April 3, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced two special offers for the upcoming 2025 season. After popular runs in 2024, the College Rush ticket offer has returned for students and the Military Discount has been upgraded for active or
DH Done Right: RailRiders sweep twinbill with Red Wings
MOOSIC, PA (April 13, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders swept a doubleheader with the Rochester Red Wings on Sunday at PNC Field, walking off the Red Wings 3-2 in game one and shutting them out 8-0 in game two. Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score In game one,
Washed Away: Saturday's RailRiders & Red Wings game postponed
Moosic, PA (April 12, 2025) – Saturday afternoon’s game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester has been postponed due to inclement weather. The RailRiders and Red Wings are already slated to play a single-admission doubleheader on Sunday, April 13, due to a postponement on April 10. Gates open at 11:30 A.M.
Last Swing Smash: RailRiders walk-off Wings again
MOOSIC, PA (April 11, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders walked off the Rochester Red Wings 8-7 on Friday night at PNC Field. Down 7-6 in the bottom of the eleventh, pinch hitter Ronaldo Hernández launched a two-run homer to left-center to send the RailRiders to their second consecutive walk-off victory
Schedule Update: Doubleheader set for Sunday, April 13
MOOSIC, PA (April 11, 2025) – The April 10 game between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester that was postponed due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 13, as part of a single-admission doubleheader. Gates will open at 11:30 A.M. on Sunday with a first pitch in game one slated
Game Off: RailRiders and Red Wings postponed Thursday
Moosic, PA (April 10, 2025) – Thursday’s game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester has been postponed due to inclement weather. Tonight’s game will be rescheduled at a later date. This series is slated to resume on Friday night with a 6:35 P.M. first pitch. Tickets for tonight’s game can be
Splitsville: RailRiders and Wings halve twinbill
MOOSIC, PA (April 9, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders split a doubleheader with the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night at PNC Field, falling 7-4 in game one and walking off the nightcap 4-3. Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score In game one, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opened the offense in
Cold Spell: RailRiders and Red Wings postponed Tuesday
Moosic, PA (April 8, 2025) – Tuesday’s game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Rochester Red Wings has been postponed due to unplayable conditions. Frozen field conditions have increased concern for player safety and, ultimately, forced the decision to postpone the game. The RailRiders and Red Wings will play a
Road Rally: RailRiders five-run ninth secures series win
Syracuse, NY (April 6, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders rallied past the Syracuse Mets 8-4 on Sunday at NBT Bank Stadium. The RailRiders trailed by two after one but scored five in the ninth to clinch a winning series and nine-game road trip. Box Score The Mets grabbed the early
Second Too Much: Mets best RailRiders 7-4 Saturday
Syracuse, NY (April 5, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders dropped a 7-4 final to the Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium on Saturday. The Mets scored six runs in the second and limited the RailRiders to three home runs to secure the win. Box Score Syracuse jumped on RailRiders starter
Marathon Men: RailRiders storm past Mets late
Syracuse, NY (April 4, 2025) – On the strength of a six-run seventh inning, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Syracuse Mets 12-4 at NBT Bank Stadium on Friday. Jorbit Vivas and Braden Shewmake each hit home runs to back the RailRiders to their second straight win and third in four
Fun Incoming: 2025 promo slate announced!
MOOSIC, PA (March 4, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced their promotions, appearances, theme nights and giveaways for the 2025 campaign. The new season will showcase 11 fireworks dates, four Copa de la Diversión games, three new custom jerseys, appearances, unique giveaways
Get Right Night: Leibrandt and early runs pace win
Syracuse, NY (April 3, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Syracuse Mets 5-1 Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium. The RailRiders offense opened an early lead and the pitching staff made it stick as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre leveled its record six games into the season. Box Score After being limited to
Stymied: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre falls 5-1 Wednesday
Syracuse, NY (April 2, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell 5-1 to the Syracuse Mets on Wednesday at NBT Bank Stadium. Three Mets pitchers limited the RailRiders to four hits and a total of seven base runners, three of which reached in the ninth. Box Score Syracuse tabbed a run
Debut Day: Initial RailRiders Roster Announced
MOOSIC, PA (March 28, 2025) – The New York Yankees have announced the Opening Day roster for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The debut roster for Manager Shelley Duncan coming out of Spring Training features three of the Top-30 prospects in the Yankees farm system, four members of the 40-man roster and
Squid Game: Velazquez paces SWB in 6-2 win
Syracuse, NY (April 1, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders bested the Syracuse Mets 6-2 Tuesday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Andrew Velazquez drove in four to lead the RailRiders to their second straight win on this nine-game road trip to open the season. Box Score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jumped to an early
More Like It: RailRiders topple IronPigs 14-3
Allentown, PA (March 30, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders throttled the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 14-3 at Coca-Cola Park Sunday afternoon. The RailRiders held a two-run lead heading into the top of the ninth and added nine runs to seal the series finale for their first win of the season. Box
One-Runned: RailRiders drop second straight 5-4 final
Allentown, PA (March 29, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lost 5-4 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley built a 5-0 lead and staved off a pair of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre comeback efforts to collect the series win with one game to go. Box Score The IronPigs
Best Days Ahead: RailRiders Daily Promotions Announced
MOOSIC, PA (February 27, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have set their 2025 daily promotions and fireworks nights for the upcoming season. The RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, start their home schedule on April 8 against the Rochester Red Wings; the first of 75 home games at
Slow Go: RailRiders fall to IronPigs 5-4
Allentown, PA (March 28, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell 5-4 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Friday evening at Coca-Cola Park. The IronPigs hit home runs in three consecutive innings to rally past the RailRiders on Opening Night. Box Score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opened the scoring in the third inning against
New Preset: Fuzz 96.1 set as new radio flagship
MOOSIC, PA (February 25, 2025) – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders games will now be heard on Fuzz 96.1 after a radio rights agreement between the club and Times-Shamrock Media. All 150 RailRiders regular season games will be broadcast, as well as any potential playoff games for the Triple-A affiliate of the New
Season Loading: Family FunFest set for March 30
MOOSIC, PA (March 21, 2025) – Join us at PNC Field on Sunday, March 30, for our annual Family FunFest! Doors open at 12:30 with special offers, tours and plenty more! Beat-the-Clock “Beat the Clock” and save! Buy tickets for the April 8 home opener against Rochester at the PNC
On Sale Now! Single-Game Tickets for 2025
MOOSIC, PA (February 3, 2025) – Single-game tickets for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 2025 season are on sale now online at www.swbrailriders.com. The RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, play 75 home games at PNC Field this coming season, beginning on April 8. Since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow
Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Kevin Thompson
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply
Shining Moments: March Mania ticket promo returns in 2025
MOOSIC, PA (February 18, 2025) – College basketball’s big dance is almost here and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are excited to announce the return of their ticket promotion built around tourney time. Each year, the RailRiders give fans the opportunity to pair ticket packages purchased with teams from the NCAA men’s