WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup alum Jurrangelo Cijntje impresses in pro debut
WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2018 alum Jurrangelo Cijntie impressed in his professional debut for the Everett AquaSox, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). The switch-pitcher allowed just a first-inning single and two walks in four innings of work, while striking out six. Of the 14 batters he faced, he threw right-handed 11 times, with opposing batters going 1-for-11. Lefties finished 0-for-1 with two walks.
According to MLB.com's report by Michael Avallone, Cijntie "used his mid-90s fastball and slider/changeup combination to great effect."
Three relievers combined five innings as the AquaSox shut out the Spokane Indians, 8-0.
Cijntie was born in The Hague, Netherlands, and grew up between Europe and Curaçao. After representing the Netherlands in the U-15 Baseball World Cup as a switch-hitting infielder, he moved to Miami, USA. Cijntie attended Champagnat Catholic School in Hialeah, where he played baseball as a switch pitcher and hitter. He committed to play for Mississippi State University before his senior season. He did not sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, who selected him in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB draft as a shortstop, and started his collegiate career.
He started 13 games for the Mississippi State Bulldogs in his freshman season. After his sophomore season, he was named a second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. In his second collegiate season, he started 16 games, pitching primarily as a right-hander.
The Seattle Mariners selected Cijntje with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft on July 14, 2024. He signed for a US$4.88m bonus with the Mariners on July 16. Following the draft, he was ranked as the Mariners' #7 prospect by MLB.com.
He made his first competitive professional appearance in a 2025 MLB Spring Breakout game. He threw his first pitch with his left hand, retiring fellow prospect Travis Bazzana, before switching to the right side for the rest of his two-inning outing.