Swap-hitters are a dime a dozen in MLB. Swap-pitchers, nevertheless, you simply don’t see day-after-day. If Jurrangelo Cijntje has his method, will probably be one thing opposing groups of the Seattle Mariners will see each 5 days or so.
The Mariners made Cijntje the fifteenth decide within the novice draft, and he’s already creating buzz across the league for with the ability to pitch — and pitch nicely — with each arms. Cijntje’s expertise first made information when he was 13 and pitched from
either side of the plate for Curacao within the Little League World Sequence. Now, eight
years later, he’s hoping to take his distinctive potential to the skilled ranks.
A pure lefty, Cijntje started throwing right-handed as nicely when he was six, first as a strategy to mimic his father who was a catcher in a professional league within the Netherlands. After being drafted, Cijntje instructed ESPN that when training, he would purposely overlook his glove at residence to be able to use his dad’s so he might throw from the suitable facet.
In 2022, Cijntje was drafted out of highschool within the 18th
spherical by the Milwaukee Brewers, however he determined to forgo the professionals for some time to
go to Mississippi State. His first yr with the Bulldogs was a battle. In 50
innings, he gave up 45 earned runs, amassing an ERA of 8.10. He turned issues
round considerably the following yr. In 90 2/3 innings, he had 113 strikeouts
and a 3.67 ERA.
Whereas Cijntje threw from either side of the plate in school, the Mariners could resolve he ought to simply concentrate on being a righty, as he throws more durable with this hand. He additionally throws right-handed extra usually, however he doesn’t need to have to decide on.
“I am feeling very snug with either side proper now,” he instructed Matt Monagan of MLB.com. “Though I throw more durable from the suitable facet, my stuff from the left
facet is method higher than final yr. I consider in each of them.”
The final switch-pitcher to have any success in MLB was Pat
Venditte, who bounced across the league for 5 years and final performed in
2020. Venditte was a reduction pitcher and, not like Cijntje, relied way more on
off-speed stuff versus overwhelming warmth. Funnily sufficient, Cijntje and
Venditte have turn into pals, with the previous participant offering encouragement and
recommendation to the up-and-comer.
It could be some time earlier than Cijntje makes it up the massive leagues,
however as soon as he will get there – sporting his custom-made, six-fingered, ambidextrous
glove – he’ll actually get lots of consideration.
