Cijntje spins scoreless start, continuing dominant September
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Jurrangelo Cijntje’s final start of the 2026 regular season was another strong step in his development.
The Cardinals’ No. 12 prospect turned in 5 1/3 innings of scoreless ball for Triple-A Memphis, earning the win in an 11-1 rout of Nashville at First Horizon Park. Cijntje struck out three batters to bring his season total to 162 K’s across two levels, which enters Thursday tied for second among all Minor Leaguers this season.
The 23-year-old, known widely for his switch-pitching ability, once again threw exclusively from the right side on Wednesday. He has not pitched as a southpaw since Aug. 6.
After escaping a two-on, two-out jam in the first inning, Cijntje set down the next 10 Nashville batters in order. He issued a one-out walk in the sixth, just his second free pass of the day, before being replaced. That ended Cijntje’s day at 78 total pitches with 48 strikes.
Cijntje’s stuff was solid, with his four-seamer topping out at 97.6 mph and averaging 95.8 mph through the outing. He generated nine whiffs on 34 swings (26%), including five on his 55-grade slider.
Wednesday’s start continued an excellent September for Cijntje, whom the Cardinals acquired from the Mariners in this offseason’s Brendan Donovan trade. The 2024 first-round Draft pick posted a 1.13 ERA in three starts, striking out 13 in 16 total innings.
Cijntje lowered his season ERA to 4.87 in the process and his Triple-A ERA to 4.61 in 11 starts. The Triple-A number is inflated a bit by three outings in which he allowed at least five runs. Cijntje has made six starts for Memphis in which he gave up two or fewer earned runs.
With the Triple-A season ending Sunday, Cijntje will likely toe the rubber next during the International League Championship Series, in which Memphis' opponent is yet to be determined. The Redbirds earned a berth as the league's best team in the first half of the season. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday.