Atlanta Braves 2-in-1 Mock Draft: Braves add ambidextrous pitcher

The 2024 MLB Draft is just over a month away and the event is scheduled to begin on July 14 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Atlanta Braves hold the 24th pick in the draft, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos has a multitude of ways to go.

In MLB Pipeline’s latest mock draft, Anthopoulos and the Braves went the college pitcher route, selecting ambidextrous sophomore Jurrangelo Cijntje from Mississippi State.

“After Brody Brecht and Cijntje, there is a significant decline in the next group of college pitchers,” writes MLB.com draft expert Jim Callis. “The Braves could also land the right college hitter (Carson Benge, Ryan Waldschmidt) if he gets to them.

“Or they could tap into the second tier of prep shortstops (Theo Gillen, Kellon Lindsey, Wyatt Sanford, Carter Johnson and Tyson Lewis) who will start soon if they haven’t already.”

Cijntje, 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, was drafted two years ago by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round as a shortstop, but instead honored his commitment to the Bulldogs, where he quickly earned a prominent role.

As a freshman, Cijntje broke team records with 50 innings and 63 strikeouts en route to a 3-5 record and 8.10 ERA in 14 games, starting all but one.

The Pembroke Pines, Fla., native has been much stronger this season, posting a 3.67 ERA and an 8-2 record in 16 games, all starts. He logged 90.2 innings, striking out 113 while walking only 30.

Born left-handed, Cijntje began throwing right-handed at the age of six in hopes of emulating his father, Mechangelo, a former professional baseball player in the Netherlands.

The young Cijntje rose to fame thanks to his ability to throw – and dominate – with both hands. Here’s the 21-year-old’s scouting report from MLB.Com.

“Evaluators say Cijntje has better upside and better plans as a Marcus Stroman-style starter as a right-hander than as a reliever as a left-hander,” MLB.Com writes. “On the right side, he operates with a 94-96 mph fastball that tops out at 98 with a carry in the zone, and he backs it up with a mid-80s slider that hits 91 with good depth and a slight changeup. harder with disappearing.

“As a lefty, he works from a low slot with a faster breaking ball in the high 80s and a low heater in the high 90s that doesn’t miss many bats.”

With the Braves going through a turbulent stretch that includes a 5-8 record after superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.’s torn ACL, the MLB Draft may not be as high a priority as immediate help for the parent club.

But at No. 24 overall, Anthopoulos will have an opportunity to address Atlanta’s long-term future — and Cijntje might just be the way to go.