Mariners drafted a pitcher with an extremely rare talent

Switch-hitters are a dime a dozen in MLB. Switch-pitchers, however, you just don’t see every day. If Jurrangelo Cijntje has his way, it will be something opposing teams of the Seattle Mariners will see every five days or so.

The Mariners made Cijntje the 15th pick in the amateur draft, and he’s already creating buzz around the league for being able to pitch — and pitch well — with both hands . Cijntje’s talent first made news when he was 13 and pitched from both sides of the plate for Curacao in the Little League World Series. Now, eight years later, he’s hoping to take his unique ability to the professional ranks.

A natural lefty, Cijntje began throwing right-handed as well when he was six, first as a way to mimic his father who was a catcher in a pro league in the Netherlands. After being drafted, Cijntje told ESPN that when practicing, he would purposely forget his glove at home in order to use his dad’s so he could throw from the right side.

In 2022, Cijntje was drafted out of high school in the 18th round by the Milwaukee Brewers, but he decided to forgo the pros for a while to go to Mississippi State. His first year with the Bulldogs was a struggle. In 50 innings, he gave up 45 earned runs, amassing an ERA of 8.10. He turned things around significantly the next year. In 90 2/3 innings, he had 113 strikeouts and a 3.67 ERA.

While Cijntje threw from both sides of the plate in college, the Mariners may decide he should just focus on being a righty, as he throws harder with this hand. He also throws right-handed more often, but he doesn’t want to have to choose .

“I'm feeling very comfortable with both sides right now,” he told Matt Monagan of MLB.com. “Even though I throw harder from the right side, my stuff from the left side is way better than last year. I believe in both of them.”

The last switch-pitcher to have any success in MLB was Pat Venditte, who bounced around the league for five years and last played in 2020. Venditte was a relief pitcher and, unlike Cijntje, relied much more on off-speed stuff as opposed to overwhelming heat. Funnily enough, Cijntje and Venditte have become friends, with the former player providing encouragement and advice to the up-and-comer.

It may be a while before Cijntje makes it up the big leagues, but once he gets there – sporting his custom-made, six-fingered, ambidextrous glove – he’ll certainly get a lot of attention.