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Disclaimer: This is a ranking of the best players that I saw during the 2018 season. I saw a wide cross-section of teams in 2018, seeing the Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Columbia Fireflies, and Binghamton Rumble Ponies, but I did not see the GCL Mets, St. Lucie Mets, or Las Vegas 51s, nor did I attend every single game of the teams that I did see. As such, this is not a comprehensive Mets prospect list. If a player is not on the list, I either did not see him, or considered the listed ten players better.
Name: Nabil Crismatt
Team: Binghamton Rumble Ponies
Position: RHP
Born: 12/25/94 (23)
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Bats/Throws: R/R
Acquired: IFA, May 31, 2012 (Barranquilla, Colombia)
2018 Season: 27 G (27 GS), 144.0 IP, 156 H, 89 R, 80 ER (5.00 ERA), 56 BB, 140 K, 11 HBP, 2 BLK, 6 WP, .355 BABIP (Double-A/Triple-A)
Date(s) Seen: June 9 @ Trenton (4.0 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 8 K)
The Man
Nabil Crismatt was signed as a free agent out of Barranquilla, Colombia in May 2012 and spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons in the Dominican Summer League. He made his stateside debut in 2014, pitching for the GCL Mets. The 19-year-old Crismatt had success there, posting a 2.25 ERA in 28.0 innings, allowing 15 hits, walking 10, and striking out 33. He spent the 2015 season in Kingsport and was similarly successful, posting a 2.90 ERA in 62.0 innings, allowing 52 hits, walking 12, and striking out 63. He began the 2016 season with the Brooklyn Cyclones, but received a promotion to the Columbia Fireflies in August, and even got into a single game with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in September. Combined over all three levels, the 21-year-old posted a 2.47 ERA in 65.2 innings, allowing 51 hits, walking 7, and striking out 74.
Crismatt began the 2017 as a member of the Colombian World Baseball Classic team. He made one start in the tournament, pitching in Pool C Game 5, Colombia versus the Dominican Republic. The right-hander lasted three innings in the start, allowing three runs- two earned- on three hits while walking one and striking out one. After Colombia was knocked out of the tournament, Crismatt returned to Mets spring training camp and began his preparations for the 2017 season. He was assigned to the St. Lucie Mets to start the season and spent the entire year there, posting a 3.95 ERA in 145.2 innings pitched. Starting 25 games and making 1 relief appearance, he allowed 161 hits, walked 36, and struck out 142. Of note, his 142 strikeouts were most in the Florida State League. Based on his performance and his stuff, Amazin’ Avenue named Crismatt the Mets’ 14th top prospect.
The 23-year-old began the 2018 season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and spent the majority of his season there. He was promoted to the Las Vegas 51s in July and made nine starts there, but was sent back to Binghamton in late August to finish out the season. In Binghamton, Crismatt posted a 3.59 ERA in 105.1 innings, allowing 95 hits, walking 37, and striking out 105. In Las Vegas, he posted a 8.84 ERA in 38.2 innings, allowing 61 hits, walking 19, and striking out 35.
The Pitcher
Crismatt isn’t an overpowering guy and relies more on moxie and guile. His fastball is only fringe-to-average, sitting in the high-80s-to-low-90s. The pitch has a bit of natural sink and run, so he gets solid ground ball rates and is able to induce weak contact and limit home runs. His primary weapon is an above-average changeup, a pitch that sits around 80 MPH with slight, sudden fade. He complements it with a slider that almost acts like a cutter due to its late break and a loopy, 12-6 curveball in the high-60s. He mixes all of his secondary pitches and is comfortable throwing each of them in any count. Without a blazing fastball and possessing only one above-average secondary pitch, Crismatt has not only survived but thrived thanks to the above-average control and command that he has exhibited his entire professional career.
Looking To 2019
A minor league free agent, it would behoove the Mets to re-sign Crismatt. While the right-hander might not have the highest upside, he is a solid, dependable workhorse, something that the Mets are currently lacking at the highest level of their minor league system. If the Mets need a promote an emergency starter for a turn or two, or for a doubleheader, Crismatt is among the most seasoned starters currently in the minor league system. The right-hander should be in the rotation for the Syracuse Mets.
The Countdown
6. Jose Moreno
8. Ryder Ryan
9. Yeizo Campos
10. Tommy Wilson