Jurrangelo Cijntje can make the radar gun pop with the best of them. But the flamethrowing switch-pitcher had a little something extra in the tank during his start Saturday for Triple-A Memphis.
Cijntje, the Cardinals' No. 12 prospect, threw seven of his 10 fastest pitches at Triple-A since moving up to the level in mid-July and recorded six scoreless innings in Memphis' 3-1 win over Durham at AutoZone Park.
Cijntje struck out five in the outing, including a first-inning K of Rays prospect Xavier Isaac on a 98.9 mph fastball. That stands as Cijntje's fastest strikeout pitch at Triple-A, and his 99.1 mph strike to designated hitter Jacob Melton in the sixth inning was his fastest pitch of any sort across his nine starts at the highest level of the Minors.
Overall, Cijntje threw 90 pitches, 60 for strikes, and allowed four hits with one walk. Seven of his 90 pitches clocked in at 98.6 mph or faster, a velocity he had reached only three times at Triple-A before Saturday.
COMPLETE CARDINALS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Renowned for his ability to get hitters out with each hand, the 23-year-old threw right-handed exclusively on Saturday. His 5.27 ERA and 1.52 WHIP at Triple-A may be eyesores, but they don't tell the full story as he has been pitching better of late.
Over his past five starts, Cijntje has a 3.28 ERA with 33 strikeouts and seven walks in 24 2/3 frames.