Nabil Crismatt: The Road to LA

Nabil Crismatt is a Right handed pitcher in the Dodgers organization that’s traveled a long and windy road to LA. Crismatt has played at the Major League level for 4 teams now, St. Louis, San Diego, Arizona & and, now, is super happy to have landed with the Dodgers. He’s also been a part of the Mets organization at the Minor League level, as well as the Mariners.

Crismatt seems to have fit into this organization like a glove, and there appears to be  several fairly obvious reasons for that.

One, he is very skilled, and, that always fits in. But, he’s also known to be very positive and loves being at the yard every day. He is a teammate that you want to be around for six months at a time, and when asked where he developed his positive vibes, this is what he had to say. 

I don’t know man, it’s just something that, ever since I’ve started playing this game I’ve felt blessed. I put all my energy into the guys around me in being a good teammate, and to just be happy.

Every time they give me the ball I just try to control what I can control and go out there and compete and just have fun.

Dodgers Daily was able to catch up with Crismatt before a game in OKC, and he was kind enough to grant quite a bit of time. Here, he speaks about his long journey in the game of baseball. 

It started in 2011 with the Mets, and I was with them until 2018 and made it up to AAA, so I spent all of my Minor League career with them. 2019 was my first time to be a Free Agent and so I signed with Seattle and I had a really good experience at Big League Spring Training with them. 

But, then, things didn’t work out with them, so I became a Free Agent again at the end of the year. 

Crismatt continued about his journey

Then, in 2020, I went to the Cardinals and that’s where I got the opportunity to pitch in the Big Leagues for the first time, and it was amazing. I think I did a pretty good job with them, but, when the season was over I got DFA’d. 

Crismatt speaks about becoming a Dodger

Then I signed with the San Diego Padres and that was a blessing. I made the team out of Spring Training and I was really stable as a Major Leaguer. Now I’m with the Dodgers and there are a lot of ups and downs and I feel like I’m getting to that point to where something really special is getting ready to happen.

Baseball is the ultimate grind and it puts one obstacle after the other in front of almost every player trying to make the Major Leagues. And, a lot of times, even more obstacles to stay once you get there. There are only 780 Major League roster spots available at any given time, and the best players from ALL around the WORLD are competing for those spots.

No one knows this better than the veteran Crismatt who hails from Barranquilla Colombia.

So, it’s those, and only those that just continue to keep grinding that eventually make it to the finish line. Crismatt gave some perspective on how he’s handled the difficulties of trying to become a Major Leaguer.

It’s just about controlling what you can control and going out every day and competing and doing the best you can do. I’m with the Dodgers now, but the game has taught me that I’m here today, but you never know where you’ll be tomorrow. It’s an honor to be with the Dodgers, and I hope I can finish my career with them, but, wherever god puts me, I’m going to continue to throw baseballs because that’s what makes me happy.

Crismatt came to the Dodgers as a Free Agent after he was DFA’d by the Diamondbacks. When asked why he chose the Dodgers, he had high praise for the culture and development of the organization.

Since I’ve been in pro baseball, it’s always been fun competing against the Dodgers. The Dodgers are a very competitive organization, and I’ve always been encouraged to come here  and learn about them. 

It’s been awesome since Day 1, so it’s a blessing to be here, and I’ve learned a lot, and I think I’m putting everything together right now, and everything is going the correct way. 

Crismatt continued about his experience with the Dodgers

So, I’m very happy about that, and I’m just trying to keep doing what I do, and take advantage when the chance comes again. 

When building depth on their roster, one thing the Dodgers value very heavily is versatility. For those fighting to just make a roster spot, they have be willing to embrace any role the club needs, and, then, also, be able to perform when given whatever role it may be. 

Crismatt has thrown 171 of his 174 Major League innings as a reliever, and, in today’s game, relievers have to be versatile in nature. He has experience working in every role from late inning high leverage to early inning middle relief type situations. He isn’t concerned with the role, just wants the chance to help at the Major League level in some way. 

I’m that type of guy, I’m available for what the team needs in the moment. It doesn’t matter if they tell me 1 inning, 2 innings, to start the game or whatever, I’m flexible with all of that.

I just continue to try and find the best version of myself to get back where I want to be, which is in the Big Leagues.

Feature Cut

Good 1st outing from Nabil Crismatt!
Change up looked good, got swing & miss, which gave him a chance with his 4 Seam that has good sink. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/1wqhjsDyF6

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) April 1, 2024

Crismatt is the definition of a professional pitcher. He locates very well, moves the ball, has a big bag of pitches, and uses all of them in basically any count. He features a 4 seam fastball, a change up, a cutter and really good breaking stuff. Here’s what he said about where his stuff is at right now. 

I feel really good right now. I think my command is getting better every time out, and this year I learned a cutter and it’s been working really good. I’m having a lot of fun right now because when you feel good you go out there every time and expect something good to happen.

What I’m trying to do now is just be consistent so I can help the Major League team win.

Another totally professional outing Nabil Crismatt!
5 IP
4 H
1 R
5 Ks
0 BB
49 strikes in 69 pitches & was able to spread the 4 hits around to miss damage. Used every sequence, forwards & backwards & executed, which, with the MLB looming, matters the most.
ERA is 0.79! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/iYRVBZaaBz

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) April 17, 2024

Finishing Up

Wanna thank Nabil for joining for the interview that is linked at the top of this article. I did not know him, nor did he know me, but he makes you feel very comfortable with his very pleasant personality. And, also, he is very busy trying to become a consistent Major Leaguer, so it was more than kind for him to take time to talk. 

Dodgers Daily has become a big fan of Nabil, and wish him nothing but the best of luck.

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