Progression for prospects is rarely linear, as Jurrangelo Cijntje is finding out during his first six weeks as a pro. But with each step forward and each step back, the ambidextrous hurler is learning and the results are beginning to match the hype.
MLB Pipeline's No. 99 overall prospect turned in arguably his best performance to date, completing a season-best five innings for a second consecutive start while equaling his professional high with six strikeouts for High-A Everett, which defeated Tri-City, 3-1, on Saturday night at Funko Field.
The only blemish against Cijntje came on a solo homer during his final frame, and the 21-year-old responded with a strikeout to cap an eight-pitch battle.
Tri-City sent out a lineup featuring two lefties and two switch-hitters against the dual-handed hurler, but Cijntje held them in check, despite going the southpaw route only three times in 20 plate appearances.
Cijntje as a RHP: 2-for-15, six strikeouts, walk, HBP
Cijntje as a LHP: 0-for-2, walk
Cijntje opened the game by allowing a single and a walk to two of the first three Dust Devils hitters but settled in from there, yielding a walk and hitting a batter over the next three innings while striking out four. The native of the Netherlands opened the fifth at 70 pitches and set down the first two easily before allowing a solo homer to Angels prospect Anthony Scull.
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Cijntje ended the inning with a strikeout, capping his outing at a season-high 85 pitches (58 strikes).
The strong performance continued a trend for Cijntje, who appears to be far more comfortable as a starter than a reliever. The Mariners' first-round pick in the 2024 Draft came out of the bullpen three times in April as a lefty-only reliever but was touched up each time, allowing nine runs, seven walks and four hits -- including two homers -- in two innings.
Cijntje's numbers as a starter are as impressive as his stats are poor as a reliever. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder has a 2.49 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and a 27-to-12 K/BB ratio in 25 1/3 innings when taking the mound as a starter. Unsurprisingly, opponents are batting just .170 (15-for-83) against Cijntje in that role.