Cijinte blasted in first Triple-A start

The first batch of cuts from Cardinals camp includes one of the more unique talents in Cijnte, a switch-pitching prospect acquired from the Mariners in the Brendan Donovan trade over the offseason. The 22-year-old ambidextrous phenom is significantly better from the right side where his fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 90’s with a plus sider. The fact that he can still operate from the left side is a nice wrinkle to have at his disposal but he’s probably going to wind up pitching exclusively from the right side at the highest level.

Three prospects and two picks, which are set to be 68th or 69th and 72nd or 73rd overall, seems like a fair return for Donovan, who departs two years before becoming eligible for free agency. The move comes just one day after the Mariners revealed that Cijntje, the switch-pitching 2024 first-round pick, would focus on being a right-handed starter this spring and would likely be limited to throwing bullpen sessions left-handed. We’ll have to wait and see if the Cardinals feel the same way. Cijntje throws considerably harder right-handed and projects as a mid-rotation starter used traditionally. He had a 4.58 ERA in 74 2/3 innings in High-A and a 2.67 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in Double-A last year, and he’s probably still a full season away from contributing in the majors. With Donovan joining Nolan Arenado in exiting, the Cardinals now have two starting infield spots available for Nolan Gorman, José Fermín, Thomas Saggese and top prospect JJ Wetherholt. It seems likely that Gorman will get one of them against righties, no matter how little he’s done lately to deserve it.

It’s a three-team deal that will send Mariners prospects Jurrangelo Cijinte and Tai Peete to the Cardinals, says Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, and third baseman Ben Williamson from the Mariners to the Rays, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale. The Rays will be parting with outfielder Colton Ledbetter and a Comp B draft pick (slated to be the 72nd or 73rd pick overall), with both going to the Cardinals. Donovan, who has been part of trade rumors all winter, seems likely to play third for Seattle with Williamson gone, though he’s also very much an option at second base and in left field. The Mariners would have the 2025 NL All-Star under control for the next two years.

This seems like the right call. Although he’s a natural left-hander, Cijntje, the Mariners’ first-round pick in 2024, throws quite a bit harder right-handed and looks like a potential middle-of-the-rotation starter from that side. As a left-hander, he doesn’t offer the same kind of promise. However, he is expected to continue throwing bullpen sessions as a lefty, and it will be interesting to see if he can occasionally make left-handed relief appearances in between starts once he reaches the majors. He’s likely to spend all of 2026 in the minors after posting a 4.58 ERA in 74 2/3 innings in High-A and a 2.67 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in Double-A last year.

No word yet on the exact financial terms, but the deal is done, according to a team statement. The 21-year-old switch-pitcher out of Mississippi State, who was selected 15th overall by Seattle, is one of the more unique prospects to enter the fantasy landscape in some time and he’s going to be a popular pickup in dynasty leagues going forward if he comes close to reaching his lofty ceiling. It’s an excellent landing spot since the Mariners have shown a propensity to expedite their top pitching prospect’s timelines and have been extremely successful at developing impact arms.

Yep, a switch-pitcher. Cijntje made 16 starts for the Bulldogs in 2024 with a 3.67 ERA and 113/30 K/BB over his 90 2/3 innings. Those numbers aren’t spectacular, but the 21-year-old is considered one of the most athletic pitchers in the class who offers more upside than your typical collegiate arm. As a right-hander he throws his heater up to 98 mph with an above-average slider, while he shows that same breaking-ball as a southpaw and typically sits in the low 90s. There’s some talk that Cijntje may just move to right-handed pitching full-time, but either way, the chance to miss bats as a starter makes him worth consideration in dynasty leagues.