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.
Let the Haunted Debauchery Ensue As St. Paul Saints Become the Crooks Haven Ghostly Gangsters On Friday, June 27
ST. PAUL, MN (March 13, 2025) - John Dillinger. Baby Face Nelson. Ma Barker. Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. The St. Paul Saints have more in common with some of the most famous gangsters in history, who made their way to Saint Paul during prohibition, than you might think. Many might consider
Saints Announce Front Office Changes: Derek Sharrer Elevated To President, Zane Heinselman Promoted to GM
ST. PAUL, MN (March 12, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints, together with owner and operator Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), are proud to announce the promotion of two long-time employees of the club ahead of the 2025 season. Derek Sharrer, who has served as General Manager since 2004, will transition
Saints Give Fans 75 Wicked Good Promotions In 2025
ST. PAUL, MN (March 11, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints are bringing the force, magic, and laughs in 2025 with a season packed full of out-of-this-world promotions. Whether you’re ready to "join the dark side," "defy gravity,” or relax with a beverage and Peanuts, there’s something for every fan.
What's In A Name? Saints Hold Month-Long Name the Pig Contest Presented by Minnesota Star Tribune
ST. PAUL, MN (February 21, 2025) - It’s your chance for immortality. Maybe you’re a little nervous but like the pig, who doesn’t sweat, neither should you. This is the time to use your creative brain, much like the animal you’re trying to name who is considered one of the
Love the One You're With As Saints Single-Game Tickets On Sale February 15
ST. PAUL, MN (February 13, 2025) - Whether your goal is to get a glimpse of a top Minnesota Twins prospect, snag a foul ball, or catch the side-splitting humor at CHS Field, the St. Paul Saints promise to keep people of all ages amused during the 2025 season. Whether
Back Again, Gardenhire Returns For Fifth Season As Saints Manager, Joined Again By Schlechter, Three New Coaches Join Staff
ST. PAUL, MN (January 21, 2025) - Stability at the managerial position is something the St. Paul Saints have had since their inaugural season as an organization in 1993. They had just five managers in 28 seasons as an Independent League team. When they became the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate
Banana Ball World Tour Coming To CHS Field August 1 & 2 As Party Animals Bring Their Unique Brand Of Baseball To Lowertown
ST. PAUL, MN (October 3, 2024) - In 1993 the St. Paul Saints changed the way fans enjoyed baseball games. Instead of making it all about the play on the field, the organization brought fun and irreverent humor to the ballpark. Always looking to partner with organizations that align with
Saints Lose Final Game of the Season 9-4
ST. PAUL, MN (September 22, 2024) - As the St. Paul Saints headed into the final game of the season a number of players were trying to hit personal milestones. One of those players was starting pitcher Caleb Boushely, who was attempting to become the Saints second 10-game winner on
Keirsey Jr. Sets Single-Season Hits Mark, Saints Comeback Falls Short In 8-7 Loss
ST. PAUL, MN (September 21, 2024) - DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is capping off the year with an incredible week in a season he won’t soon forget. He made his Major League debut, he’s been the most consistent hitter on the St. Paul Saints, and on Saturday night he etched his
Raya Impressive In Triple-A Debut, Williams Smashes Two Home Runs, But Saints Lose 8-6
ST. PAUL, MN (September 20, 2024) - If the last two nights are any indication, the St. Paul Saints starting rotation to start 2025 is in good hands. On Thursday night it was Cory Lewis earning a win in his Triple-A debut. On Friday night at CHS Field Marco Raya
Severino Ties Single-Season Franchise Home Run Mark In 8-3 Saints Win
ST. PAUL, MN (September 19, 2024) - For the last 12 games Yunior Severino has been stuck on 20 home runs, one shy of the St. Paul Saints single-season home run mark. On Thursday night at CHS Field he finally tied the record with a fifth inning home run. That
Close Game Gets Away From Saints In 10-2 Loss To Indianapolis
ST. PAUL, MN (September 18, 2024) - The St. Paul Saints kept the same game plan on Wednesday as they did on Tuesday. Facing the number two pitching prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Thomas Harrington, the Saints kept it close for six innings. Unfortunately, instead of a come from
Saints Start Off Final Series Of Season With 4-2 Win Over Indianapolis
ST. PAUL, MN (September 17, 2024) - For the second time this season St. Paul Saints starter Caleb Boushley got the start opposite the Pittsburgh Pirates number one prospect, and the number 21 prospect in baseball, Indianapolis Indians fireballer Bubba Chandler. Boushley once again kept his team in the game,
Two Top 30 Pitchers Promoted From Wichita, Marco Raya and Cory Lewis Transferred to St. Paul
ST. PAUL, MN (September 16, 2024) - As the last week of the season has arrived, there is one final chance for prospects to get a taste of Triple-A. That is what Marco Raya and Cory Lewis will be getting, as they were promoted to St. Paul on Monday. Raya,
Saints Finish Off Road Portion Of Schedule With 5-2 Loss To Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 15, 2024) - And now all that is left are six games at CHS Field. The St. Paul Saints finished off the road portion of their schedule jumping out to a 2-0, but as happened in the previous three games the Columbus Clippers scored several unanswered runs
Saints Drop Fourth Straight To Clippers, 8-3
COLUMBUS, OH (September 14, 2024) - The teams chasing the Columbus Clippers for the second half title were hoping to get some help from the St. Paul Saints this week. After winning game one of the series, however, the Saints haven’t been able to equal what they did on Tuesday.
Severino Sets Single-Season Franchise RBI Record, But Saints Fall 11-1
COLUMBUS, OH (September 13, 2024) - One record down, one to go for Yunior Severino. His first inning RBI single gave him the franchise single-season record and he still needs one home run to tie that mark. Unfortunately, that was all the positive feelings for the St. Paul Saints in
Eerily Similar Feeling, Saints Give Up Three-Run Homer In Eighth And Fall 8-7 To Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 12, 2024) - If you put Wednesday night’s game side-by-side with Thursday night’s game you would find several similarities. The St. Paul Saints got an insurance run in the eighth on a bases loaded walk, but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow. In the bottom of the inning
Empty Feeling, Saints Lose On Walk-Off Homer In Ninth 7-6
COLUMBUS, OH (September 11, 2024) - The horror continues for the St. Paul Saints at Huntington Park. Entering Wednesday night the Saints were 11-26 in the home of the Columbus Clippers. They carried a three run lead into the eighth, but saw that disappear with a home run in the
Saints Attempt To Play Spoiler With 7-4 Win Over Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 10, 2024) - The St. Paul Saints are 16-games under .500 at Huntington Park in their franchise history. But for the next six days they have a chance to play spoiler to the best team in the second half as the Columbus Clippers entered the day 4.0
Saints Score Seven Runs Over Final Three Innings For 9-3 Win
ST. PAUL, MN (September 8, 2024) - A well-pitched game on both sides early on turned into a rout for the St. Paul Saints late. They scored seven runs over their final three at bats as Carson McCusker finished a triple shy of the cycle in a 9-3 victory over
Emmanuel Rodriguez' Inside-the-Park Grand Slam Helps Saints To 8-6 Victory
ST. PAUL, MN (September 7, 2024) - Emmanuel Rodriguez is no stranger to inside-the-park grand slams, hitting a walk-off one at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023. He can add another memorable one to his impressive ledger as his first Triple-A home run was an inside-the-park grand slam as part of
Morris Strong, Oat Milkers Hit Three Homers, But Fall 8-4 To I-Cubs
ST. PAUL, MN (September 6, 2024) - Despite being on a limited pitch count, Andrew Morris was tremendous in his fifth Triple-A start. He went 3.2 innings and left with a 4-0 lead, but it unraveled after he left as the St. Paul Saints Malmö Oat Milkers fell 8-4 to
Second Time In Two Weeks Prato Plays Hero With Walk-Off Single In Ninth As Saints Win 7-6
ST. PAUL, MN (September 5, 2024) - He didn’t start the game, but he sure finished it. Anthony Prato entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch runner. One inning later his walk-off single to center gave the St. Paul Saints a 7-6 win over the Iowa Cubs
Headrick, Dobnak Spin Gem In 2-1 Win Over I-Cubs
ST. PAUL, MN (September 4, 2024) - Brent Headrick made his return to the St. Paul Saints, pitching in his first game since April 6 after coming off a left forearm strain. He was masterful in his 3.0 innings of work. Randy Dobnak did the rest as the two combined