Mariners' switch-pitching prospect flashing dominance as a starter

As the story of Jurrangelo Cijntje continues to unfold, even the Mariners aren't quite sure what to expect from their unique hurler.

But for Seattle's No. 9 prospect, the goal is much simpler: Get as many reps as possible and work his way toward a Major League career.

So far, so good.

Cijntje allowed his first run as a starting pitcher but turned in another strong performance, striking out six over 4 1/3 innings in High-A Everett's 9-6 loss Saturday night vs. Tri-City at Gesa Stadium.

The dual-handed hurler took a shutout into the fifth before surrendering a solo homer, which turned out to be his final pitch of the game.

As has been the case during his three starts, Cijntje largely pitched from the right side, despite facing a pair of switch-hitters and three left-handers. The 21-year-old tossed lefty to Ryan Nicholson, who bested Cijntje with a double in the second inning before falling victim to a strikeout in the fourth.

Cijntje, as a righty: 1-for-12, five strikeouts
Cijntje, as a lefty: 1-for-2, one strikeout

Angels No. 11 prospect Juan Flores collected the other hit off Cijntje, becoming the first right-hander to go deep against the 2024 first-rounder. Cijntje walked a pair but was otherwise in control, limiting the Dust Devils' lineup to just two hits in 14 at-bats.

The low-level of success has been a common theme thus far for the Mississippi State product, who is holding opponents to a .140 average (6-for-43).

Cijntje has enjoyed more success as a starter, where a majority of his work has come as a right-hander. The home run he allowed to Tri-City was the first and thus far only blemish against Cijntje in 11 1/3 innings, during which he's yielded four hits and six walks while striking out 16.

Conversely, his routine of pitching mid-week as a southpaw out of the bullpen has yet to bear fruit, at least from a statistical standpoint. Cijntje has made two appearances as a reliever -- strictly left-handed -- and has been touched up for five runs and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.

But that is all part of the Mariners' plan to develop their prized possession, who they feel will maximize his value as a starter. However, the ability to pitch with both arms in the same game is something that is too precious to pass up, particularly as Cijntje gets his feet wet as a pro.

• Subscribe to the MLB Pipeline Newsletter

“If he just does this for a couple of years, he'll be in the big leagues simply because he's putting the hitter in a very difficult spot,” Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto told MLB.com's Daniel Kramer, “instead of developing his own [skill set], which is what we're trying to do.

“I think if we just made him a right-handed starter, with what we're seeing now, the pitch development relative to command, it's live. It's really kind of special,” Dipoto said. “But why would we want to give up the chance to develop and explore what is really a one-of-a-kind skill set?”