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.
Taco and Margarita Festival!
TACO AND MARGARITA FESTIVAL COMES TO APPALACHIAN POWER PARK CHARLESTON, WV (May 16, 2022) – The Dirty Birds to host a taco and margarita festival on August 13th from 12pm-8pm at Appalachian Power Park. The festival will include specialty tacos, margaritas and live entertainment on the field with bands and
THE CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRD HAS BEEN NAMED DUSTY BY THE FANS
CHARLESTON, WV (April 8, 2022) – The fans have spoken and the Charleston Dirty Bird has been named Dusty via an online poll where over 2,000 fans voted to name the team’s coal dust covered mascot. The Charleston Dirty Birds announced on March 28, 2022 via social media that the
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS EXHIBITION GAMES SCHEDULE
FREE admission Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17 at 12pm CHARLESTON, WV (March 29, 2022) – The Charleston Dirty Birds will return to Appalachian Power Park for two scheduled exhibition games against the Washington Black Sox on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 at 12pm. Both exhibition games
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS TO DONATE PORTION OF MERCHANDISE SALES IN MARCH TO MARCH OF DIMES
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS TO DONATE PORTION OF MERCHANDISE SALES IN MARCH TO MARCH OF DIMES The Dirty Birds will donate 10 cents of every dollar sold of merchandise to March of Dimes for the remainder of March CHARLESTON, WV (March 8, 2022) – The Charleston Dirty Birds announce that for
ALBERTO CALLASPO HEADLINES NEXT WAVE OF DIRTY BIRDS ADDED TO THE 2022 ROSTER
CHARLESTON, WV (March 3, 2022) – The Charleston Dirty Birds announce six new players joining the 2022 Roster. Popular Infielder and 2021 Charleston Dirty Birds’ MVP, Alberto Callaspo is returning to Charleston for the 2022 season. Callaspo made his major league debut in 2006 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has
DIRTY BIRDS ANNOUNCE SIX NEW PLAYERS JOINING THE 2022 ROSTER
The Charleston Dirty Birds announce six new players joining the 2022 Roster: catcher Alfredo Gonzalez, right handed pitcher Jordan Stephens, outfielder Anfernee Seymour, right handed pitcher Francisco Carrillo, right handed pitcher Tyler Wilson, and infielder Angel Garced. Alfredo Gonzalez, a catcher who played for the Chicago White Sox in 2018
ATLANTIC LEAGUE CLUBS INTRODUCE BALLPARK PASS
(Feb. 2, 2022, New York) – The Atlantic League (ALPB) and its clubs today announced the introduction of Ballpark Pass, a new concept which will allow any full season ticket holder entry to any ballgame at any park throughout the Atlantic League. “Our clubs are universally excited about the potential
ATLANTIC LEAGUE RESTORES 60’6” PITCHING RUBBER DISTANCE
ATLANTIC LEAGUE RESTORES 60’6” PITCHING RUBBER DISTANCESuccessful Automated Ball - Strike Technology Migrates to Affiliated Minor League (January 13, 2022, New York, N.Y.) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced today that it will return the distance of the pitching rubber to its conventional 60’6” and will resume
EDWIN ESPINAL HEADLINES FIRST WAVE OF 2022 DIRTY BIRDS’ ROSTER
The Charleston Dirty Birds announce seven new players joining the 2022 roster. Popular first baseman/DH Edwin Espinal is returning to the Dirty Birds for the 2022 season. Espinal returned to Charleston for the 2021 season after playing for the former West Virginia Power in 2014. Espinal had a productive first
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS TO GIVE AWAY 100 TURKEYS
The Charleston Dirty Birds will host a turkey giveaway to families just in time for the Christmas holiday. The event will take place at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 4pm. Families in need of a turkey for the holidays are invited to stop by Appalachian Power
TESTA, KELLY, COROMATO NAMED DIRTY BIRDS COACHING STAFF
TESTA, KELLY, COROMATO NAMED DIRTY BIRDS COACHING STAFF Joe Testa, Scott Kelly and Anthony Coromato signed as coaching staff for the 2022 season The Charleston Dirty Birds announced today that two familiar faces will be seen on the field and coaching staff for the 2022 season. Joe Testa and Scott
BILLY HORN NAMED CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS MANAGER
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (December 7, 2021) - The Charleston Dirty Birds announced today that Billy Horn will be the Manager of the Dirty Birds for the 2022 season. “We are thrilled to have someone with Billy’s experience and stellar reputation at the helm of the Dirty Birds for the 2022 season”
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS RELEASE 2022 SEASON SCHEDULE
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS RELEASE 2022 SEASON SCHEDULE Tuesday-Saturday games will now begin at 6:35pm, and Sunday games will start at 5:05pm. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (November 15, 2021) - The Charleston Dirty Birds have released their full schedule for the 2022 season, which includes 67 home games beginning Thursday, April 21, 2022.
ATLANTIC LEAGUE ADDS 10TH TEAM FOR 2022
ATLANTIC LEAGUE ADDS 10th TEAM FOR 2022 Kentucky Club To Share Legends Ballpark for League’s 24th Season (November 11, 2021, New York) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced today it has added a 10th team for 2022. Referred to as the Kentucky team (KY), the club will
West Virginia Power are now the Charleston Dirty Birds!
Charleston Dirty Birds Hatched CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA BASEBALL HATCHED AS THE CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS On September 28th, the West Virginia Power has retired as the new name, logo and identity was revealed to a great Tuesday night crowd at Appalachian Power Park. You will see below, as our local sports
Today's 9/5 game has been postponed!
Due to present weather conditions and the forecast for the remainder of the day today’s scheduled 1:05 contest between the High Point Rockers and West Virginia Power at Appalachian Park has been postponed and will be made up as part of a Doubleheader on Tuesday, September 14th at 5:05 PM.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WEST VIRGINIA POWER BASEBALL
\\FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WEST VIRGINIA POWER BASEBALL
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (September 2, 2021) – West Virginia Power Baseball returned to Charleston, West Virginia for the 2021 season and fans have been enjoying the excitement of a nine-inning carnival all season. The carnival on social media surrounding the Power
ATLANTIC LEAGUE OFFICIALLY APPROVES NEW TEAM FOR HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND
Professional baseball’s return will coincide with Maryland Stadium Authority’s construction of a new multi-use sports and event facility in downtown Hagerstown, Maryland. (New York, Sept. 1, 2021) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) Board of Directors has approved the membership application of Downtown Baseball, LLC to join the
David Kubiak’s Contract Purchased by the Texas Rangers August 26, 2021,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeremy Taylor, Senior Executive Director of Baseball and Stadium Operations Phone: 304‐344‐2287 E‐Mail: jtaylor@wvpower.com Yet Another Power Player Has Contract Purchased RHP David Kubiak’s Purchased by the Texas Rangers August 26, 2021, Charleston, WV. — The Texas Rangers have purchased the contract of starting pitcher David
Save Minor League Baseball: A message to our fans
Relief Act would provide grants to eligible MiLB clubs
RHP Aaron Blair and RHP Edwin Quirarte Heading to MiLB and Mexico Respectively
July, 20, 2021, Charleston, WV. — The San Francisco Giants have purchased the contract of starting pitcher Aaron Blair, while the Leones de Yucatan have purchased the contract of relief pitcher Edwin Quirarte. RHP Edwin Quirarte, who reached the Triple-A level with the San Francisco Giants in 2015, is the
3 Power Players Have Contracts Purchased by Mexican League Team
SP Elih Villanueva, OF Jose Tabata, RP Jean Machi Purchased by Sultanes de Monterrey July, 9, 2021, Charleston, WV. — The Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League have purchased the contracts of three roster members the Power announced today. SP Elih Villanueva, who reached the Major League level with
Preview of the Upcoming Homestand
Furry Friend Friday September 3rd vs High Point Rockers Furry Friend Friday! Fans are invited to bring their pets to the ballpark, all pets are welcome including horses, pigs, goats, iguanas, dogs, cats and even hamsters! Pet passes are just $2, all proceeds from pet passes are donated to the
9/5 Game has Been postponed
Due to present weather conditions and the forecast for the remainder of the day today’s scheduled 1:05 contest between the High Point Rockers and West Virginia Power at Appalachian Park has been postponed and will be made up as part of a Doubleheader on Tuesday, September 14th at 5:05 PM.
Wiz Khalifa Concert July 9th
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (May 17, 2021) – Multi-platinum selling, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa will burst into Appalachian Power Park for a one night event on Friday, July 9th. Bone Thugs N Harmony and Chevy Woods will also be in the stadium for this summer concert for