Swap-hitters are a dime a dozen in MLB. Swap-pitchers, nevertheless, you simply don’t see each day. If Jurrangelo Cijntje has his approach, it will likely be one thing opposing groups of the Seattle Mariners will see each 5 days or so.
The Mariners made Cijntje the fifteenth choose within the newbie draft, and he’s already creating buzz across the league for with the ability to pitch — and pitch effectively — with each palms. Cijntje’s expertise first made information when he was 13 and pitched from
each side of the plate for Curacao within the Little League World Collection. Now, eight
years later, he’s hoping to take his distinctive capability to the skilled ranks.
A pure lefty, Cijntje started throwing right-handed as effectively when he was six, first as a solution to mimic his father who was a catcher in a professional league within the Netherlands. After being drafted, Cijntje informed ESPN that when practising, he would purposely neglect his glove at residence to be able to use his dad’s so he might throw from the appropriate aspect.
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 subsequent yr. In 90 2/3 innings, he had 113 strikeouts
and a 3.67 ERA.
Whereas Cijntje threw from each side of the plate in school, the Mariners could resolve he ought to simply deal with being a righty, as he throws more durable with this hand. He additionally throws right-handed extra typically, however he doesn’t wish to have to decide on.
“I am feeling very snug with each side proper now,” he informed Matt Monagan of MLB.com. “Although I throw more durable from the appropriate aspect, my stuff from the left
aspect is approach higher than final yr. I imagine 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 aid pitcher and, not like Cijntje, relied way more on
off-speed stuff versus overwhelming warmth. Funnily sufficient, Cijntje and
Venditte have change into mates, 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 large leagues,
however as soon as he will get there – sporting his custom-made, six-fingered, ambidextrous
glove – he’ll actually get a number of consideration.
