Back in 2022, the Milwaukee Brewers took a late-round swing on one of the most intriguing arms in the draft: Jurrangelo Cijntje, a switch-pitcher with legitimate velocity from both sides. Drafted out of high school in the 18th round, Cijntje opted for college ball instead, heading to Mississippi State to refine his game.
His freshman year in Starkville was a tough learning experience - an 8.10 ERA that reflected the growing pains of adjusting to SEC-level hitters. But to his credit, Cijntje rebounded in a big way as a sophomore.
He cut his ERA down to 3.67 across 90 innings, showing improved command and mound presence. That leap in performance didn’t go unnoticed.
He shot up draft boards and landed with the Seattle Mariners as the 15th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Cijntje’s first year in pro ball? Solid.
He climbed all the way to Double-A, logging 108 innings with a 3.99 ERA. That’s a strong showing for a first-year pitcher, let alone one still fine-tuning the complexities of being ambidextrous on the mound.
Now, Cijntje’s on the move again - and this time, he’s headed to a division rival.
In a three-team trade finalized on February 2, the Mariners, Cardinals, and Rays shuffled a number of intriguing young players and picks. Seattle acquired utility man Brendan Donovan, a versatile bat with on-base skills and defensive flexibility.
St. Louis, meanwhile, picked up a haul: Cijntje, infield prospect Tai Peete, outfielder Colton Ledbetter, and two Competitive Balance Round B picks (Nos. 68 and 72 overall).
Tampa Bay came away with infielder Ben Williamson.
For Brewers fans, Cijntje’s name jumps off the transaction sheet. Even though he never signed with Milwaukee, his unique profile - a pitcher who can dial it up into the upper 90s from both sides of the mound - left a lasting impression. That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s what made him such an intriguing draft prospect in the first place.
But there’s a new wrinkle in his development: according to The Call Up podcast, Cijntje will only pitch right-handed in 2026. That’s a notable shift, but not entirely surprising when you dig into the data.
Last season, his right-handed fastball averaged 96 mph with a 71% strike rate - solid velocity and strong command. On the left side, though, he was sitting at 92 mph with a strike rate of just 48%.
In other words, the right arm has been more effective, and focusing on it could help him take the next step as a pro.
Now part of the Cardinals’ system, Cijntje becomes a fascinating player to watch - not just for St. Louis fans, but for those in Milwaukee, too.
He’s still young, still developing, and still full of upside. If the right-handed-only approach unlocks more consistency, the Brewers may be seeing a lot more of him in the not-so-distant future - this time, from across the diamond.