Seattle Mariners Prospect Called Potential "Must-See" Attraction as Career Starts

Jurrangelo Cijntje, who wowed baseball fans with his ability to switch-pitch during the Spring Breakout Game, is also catching the attention of Baseball America.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred takes a photo with Jurrangelo Cijntje after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the 15th pick during the first round of the MLB Draft at Cowtown Coliseum in 2024. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje is turning heads at Baseball America, with the publication recently saying he has the potential to be a "must-see" attraction.

The outlet highlighted Cijntje in a piece dedicated to spring training observations, and it also said that the M's farm system as a whole is "loaded."

The first pro glimpse of Cijntje came during Spring Breakout, which saw him get the better of last year’s No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana with a swinging strikeout on a sinker. Reports suggest he looks much better throwing righthanded rather than left. It’s going to be quite the challenge—in a good way—for the Mariners’ plan to develop him, but if there’s one thing they’ve proven based on their major league starting rotation, it’s that they know what to do with young pitchers.

MLB Prospects Who Stood Out In Spring Training For All 15 Cactus League Teamshttps://t.co/wNAyWCejM1

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) March 24, 2025

Cijtnje, a first-round pick in 2024 out of Mississippi State, did not pitch after getting drafted last year, but he instantly took the baseball world by storm during his two-inning appearance in the Spring Breakout Game.

Battling some nerves, and a defensive miscue behind him, Cijntje gave up one unearned run on two hits and two walks, but he also struck out two. The fascination with Cijntje stems from his ability to switch-pitch at an extremely high-level. He's in the low-to-mid 90s as a lefty and the upper 90s as a righty, and he's able to switch seamlessly between the two.

Cijntje is currently ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Mariners organization, per MLB Pipeline. The current top of the M's system is dominated by position players, but Cijtnje and Ryan Sloan make up the next wave of pitchers, as both were drafted last season.

Cijntje once represented Curacao in the Little League World Series, drawing worldwide acclaim for his ability to switch-pitch.

It's unknown yet where Cijntje will start his professional career, but he figures to start at Low-A Modesto.

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