Cardinals Pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje Throws Both Hands

Baseball just got twice as interesting thanks to one young pitcher who refuses to pick a side.

Jurrangelo Cijntje stepped onto the mound at the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida this week and did something that made coaches stop and stare. The 22-year-old threw pitches left-handed, then switched to right-handed, showcasing a rare skill he's been perfecting since childhood.

Being ambidextrous in baseball is incredibly rare. Only a handful of switch-pitchers have ever made it to professional baseball, making Cijntje's talent something special to watch.

The Cardinals acquired Cijntje from the Seattle Mariners earlier this month as part of a major trade deal. While the Mariners had planned to focus him exclusively on right-handed pitching where he's shown better results, his new team has different ideas.

Cardinals president Chaim Bloom hinted that Cijntje could eventually pitch as a right-handed starter and a left-handed reliever. That dual role would give the team incredible flexibility, allowing them to match up against batters based on which hand they swing with.

Cijntje threw 108 innings in the minor leagues last year after being selected as the 15th overall pick in the 2024 draft. Despite being naturally left-handed, his right-handed pitching has produced better statistics so far in his young career.

Why This Inspires

Baseball has always celebrated unique talents, from knuckleball pitchers to submarine throwers. Cijntje represents something even more unusual: a pitcher who could genuinely compete at the highest level from both sides.

His passion for maintaining both skills shows dedication beyond typical player development. While it would be easier to focus on one hand and perfect that craft, Cijntje keeps working on both because he believes in his dual ability.

The Cardinals are giving him the space to prove that being different can be better. In a sport often resistant to change, seeing an organization embrace innovation this wholeheartedly sends a hopeful message about the future of baseball.

Cijntje still has work to do before reaching the major leagues, but spring training gives fans their first glimpse of what could become baseball's next great novelty. If he succeeds, he'll inspire countless young players who've been told to pick one way of doing things.

Baseball's next evolution might just come from a kid who refused to choose.