Seattle Mariners select Mississippi State pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje in 2024 MLB Draft

Jurrangelo Cijntje is officially heading to the next level. The Seattle Mariners selected him in the first round with the No. 15 pick in the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft.

Cijntje shined this past season at Mississippi State to enter the draft as one of the top prospects on the board. He went 8-2 over his 16 starts, finishing with a 3.67 ERA and 113 strikeouts to anchor the Bulldogs’ rotation.

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However, the numbers are just one part of the conversation about Cijntje’s MLB hopes. He’s also ambidextrous, capable of throwing 95 miles per hour with both arms. He grew up a natural left-hander, but learned to throw with his right arm when he was young.

As he prepared for the draft, Cijntje said he felt like he could throw from either side. With two years of college under his belt, he sounds ready to get his shot at a big-league opportunity.

“I’m feeling very comfortable with both sides right now,” Cijntje told MLB.com’s Matt Monagan. “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.”

Cijntje was initially drafted as a shortstop in 2022 when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him, but he ultimately chose to go the college route. He then made his name as a pitcher in Starkville, earning Second Team All-American honors from Perfect Game.

Scouting report on Jurrangelo Cijntje

Jurrangelo Cijntje presents an interesting case for MLB scouts because of his ability to throw with both arms. MLB.com’s evaluators put him on the same level as Marcus Stroman from one side, although he could get some run in the bullpen from the other. The constant, though, will have to be finding the strike zone.

“Evaluators say Cijntje has better stuff and projects as a Marcus Stroman-esque starter as a righty vs. profiling more as a reliever as a lefty,” MLB.com’s scouting report said. “From the right side, he operates with a 94-96 mph fastball that tops out at 98 with carry up in the zone, and he backs it up with a mid-80s slider that reaches 91 with good depth and a slightly harder changeup with fade. As a southpaw, he works from a low slot with a sweepier low-80s breaking ball and a low-90s heater that doesn’t miss many bats.

“Cijntje is pitching right-handed against lefty hitters more often in 2024, and many scouts would like to see him do so full time. While his 5-foot-11 build creates questions about his long-term durability as a starter, he’s strong and athletic. He has significantly improved his strike-throwing as a sophomore and could develop average control as he gains more experience.”