Free agent reliever Nabil Crismatt has signed with the Diamondbacks, he announced on Instagram. According to the transactions log at MLB.com, it’s a minor league pact. He’ll join their Triple-A club in Reno.
Crismatt spent less than a week on the open market. The right-hander was outrighted by the Padres last weekend. He’d only made seven MLB appearances this season, allowing 12 runs over 11 innings. Crismatt missed a few weeks with a strained left hip and averaged a career-low 88.8 MPH on his fastball.
Frustrating as this season has been, the Colombian-born hurler is only a year removed from being a productive middle innings arm for San Diego. Crismatt soaked up 67 1/3 frames of 2.94 ERA ball last season. He’d posted a 3.76 ERA through 81 1/3 innings the year prior. He doesn’t miss many bats, but he’s a quality strike-thrower and has induced grounders on roughly half the batted balls he’s allowed as a big leaguer.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen is improved relative to the past few years, roughly an average unit. Arizona relievers entered play Friday 19th in MLB with a 4.04 ERA and 16th with a 24.2% strikeout percentage. Crismatt will try to pitch his way into that group, though he’ll first report to a very hitter-friendly environment in Reno. He has exhausted his minor league option years, so if the D-Backs promote him at any point, they’d have to keep him on the MLB roster or designate him for assignment themselves.
Crismatt time in July sounds like a strange County Fair with too many vendors. Good luck to both Nabil and Zona!
OK insurance in case of injury, but unless that happens Crismatt won’t see the majors in AZ this season.
The Nabillionaires are back baby! Crismas in July
12 runs In 11 innings and a 88mph fastball.
Crismatt needs hazmat.
He had a great change up in 2021-2022, but he was also throwing his FB 90-91 then instead of like 88 so it probably doesn’t play up as much anymore.
He may be toast if he can’t get that velo back, but his control was also way worse this year. Minor league deal is good, gives him a shot to get back on track.
Lucky fellow, from 4th place dumpster fire team to surprising first place team!