Mariners' switch-pitching phenom is gaining steam despite nagging problem

When the Seattle Mariners made headlines by selecting switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, the baseball world buzzed with curiosity. Since that moment, the intrigue surrounding Cijntje has only grown, and to his credit, the soon to be 22-year-old has done nothing but live up to the hype in his first full year of professional ball.

The results are starting to show in a big way. Cijntje has topped five innings in each of his last three starts, giving up just three earned runs combined over that stretch. His latest outing might have been his most impressive yet. Pitching for High-A Everett, the switch-pitching phenom carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, ultimately finishing with a career-high six frames while allowing just one hit and striking out five in a 1-0 shutout victory over Vancouver.

It was a performance so noteworthy that it earned Cijntje Northwest League Pitcher of the Week honors.

Switch-pitching star Jurrangelo Cijntje continues to dominate in the Mariners' farm system

While his ability to pitch with both arms remains the headline-grabber, evaluators around the league are beginning to reach a general agreement: Cijntje is simply on another level when he pitches right-handed. That’s not to say his left-handed work isn’t effective, but the gap between the two sides is becoming more apparent with each outing.

As a right-hander, Cijntje flashes true frontline potential. His fastball regularly touches 98 miles per hour, featuring late life that makes it especially tough for hitters to square up. He pairs that heat with a sharp slider in the upper 80s that occasionally creeps into the low 90s, and a firm, fading changeup that keeps hitters guessing.

As a right-handed pitcher this season, Cijntje has racked up 30 strikeouts in just 109 plate appearances against righty and lefty batters, issuing only eight walks along the way — a sign that his control and command continue to trend in the right direction.

On the flip side, his left-handed arsenal, while still serviceable, has not produced nearly the same dominance. Operating from a lower arm slot, Cijntje leans on a sweeping breaking ball in the low 80s and a fastball that sits in the low 90s.

However, the numbers tell the story:

• LHP vs. RHB: 1.458 OPS
• LHP vs. LHB: 1.255 OPS

Additionally, his strikeout-to-walk ratio as a lefty sits at just 5-to-13, a stark contrast to his results from the right side.

Industry experts like MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis have suggested that Cijntje’s long-term ceiling might be higher if he focuses exclusively on pitching right-handed. While the Mariners are allowing him to continue developing both sides for now — partly because it remains an important part of his identity — there’s a growing belief that he doesn’t need to rely on the novelty of switch-pitching to have a real shot at a career in the majors. He’s already showing more than enough ability with his right arm alone.

Regardless of the eventual direction he chooses, Cijntje’s talent is undeniable. With his unique profile, electric stuff, and steady development, he’s shaping up to be one of the most fascinating arms to watch in the Mariners' system. If he keeps progressing at this rate, his journey to Seattle might come sooner than anyone expected.