Switch-pitcher Cijntje's encore in second pro start? More goose eggs, K's

Switch-hitting is cool. But switch-pitching, now that’s the new craze.

Meet Jurrangelo Cijntje, the switch-pitching Mariners first-round Draft pick in 2024, whose appearances for High-A Everett have become appointment viewing.

In his second start (third appearance) of the season for the AquaSox, Cijntje dazzled over three scoreless frames, racking up four punchouts and allowing just three baserunners in the club's eventual 4-3 loss to Hillsboro at Funko Field.

Seattle’s No. 9 prospect pitched predominantly right-handed throughout the outing, notching a six-pitch strikeout from the left side to lead off the contest and then throwing exclusively with his right arm for the next 56 pitches.

The discrepancy -- which isn't that varied from his first outing last week -- is likely due to Seattle’s current plan for the Dutch-born Curaçao native: to keep both sides fresh by pitching exclusively left-handed in one short bullpen stint during the week, while maintaining his regular spot in the rotation.

• How being an ambidextrous pitcher works

Hillsboro’s only scoring opportunity against Cijntje came in the first inning. With one out and Cijntje pitching right-handed, D-backs No. 7 prospect Druw Jones singled on a ground ball up the middle and Jansel Luis (AZ No. 9) walked, putting runners on first and second. Cijntje responded by inducing a fly ball from the next batter, before notching his second strikeout of inning -- thus extinguishing the threat.

After catching eyes at the 2016 Little League World Series, the 21-year-old burst onto the scene at the 2022 Draft Combine. Tabbed as an intriguing prospect with a novelty about him, he switch-pitched for two seasons at Mississippi State, setting the stage for doing so at the professional level.

In his first outing as a pro last Saturday, Cijntje navigated four scoreless innings, pitching to 11 opposing batters from the right side and three from the left. He would have a spotless ERA through two starts, if not for a relief outing on Wednesday in which he allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Cijntje threw left-handed the entire appearance and recorded both outs via the strikeout.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder is unlike any switch-pitcher in the past. He can ramp it up near triple digits with his right-handed fastball, and he complements it with a slider and changeup. From the left -- his natural side -- he throws from a lower arm slot and sits around 90 mph.

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Pat Venditte, who pitched in parts of five MLB seasons from 2015-20 and averaged a mid-80s fastball, and Greg Harris -- who was a right-hander for most of his 15-year career, but threw with both arms in one game in 1995 -- are the only switch-pitchers to ever appear in a game in The Show since 1901. It's early, but a first look at the first-rounder indicates he could move quickly toward becoming the next member of an exclusive group.