The Phillies have signed three additional pitchers and one infielder to minor league contracts.
RHP Nabil Crismatt joins the Phillies from the Texas Rangers organization. The twenty-nine year old from Barranquilla, Colombia was originally signed by the New York Mets as an international free agent on 5/31/12. He was signed by the Seattle Mariners as a free agent on 1/24/19 and then the St Louis Cardinals on 11/20/19. On 12/20/20 he signed as a free agent with the Padres, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed him on 6/30/23, the Los Angeles Dodgers on 12/12/23 and finally the Texas Rangers on 5/22/24. He’s pitched 114 games in the major leagues from 2020 to 2024 with the Cardinals, Padres, D-Backs and Dodgers including five games with the Dodgers in 2024.
In 177 major league innings he’s posted a 3.71 ERA with 162 K’s and 54 walks. He appeared in 45 games (81.1 IP) for the Padres in 2021 and 50 games (67.1 IP) in 2022. In his minor league career he’s pitched in 223 games including 113 starts (16 of 27 last season) totaling 787 IP with a 4.22 ERA. Crismatt features a low nineties fastball/sinker, change-up, cutter, curve and slider. He is known for his positive attitude and for being an outstanding teammate and has experience working in multiple types of bullpen roles. He is a pitch-ability type hurler who throws strikes and is regarded for good secondary pitches, relies primarily on his change-up. Will likely be a non-roster invitee to major league spring training camp.
Twenty eight year old (will be 29 on 12/22/24) RHP Austin Schulfer pitched last season for the Detroit Tigers organization. He was the 2018 19th round draft selection of the Minnesota Twins from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Schulfer was released by Minnesota on 6/7/24 and signed by Detroit on 6/13/24. He pitched out of the bullpen at the AAA level in 2024 appearing in 36 games (including two prep games in the FSL) posting an overall 4.94 ERA in 54.2 IP with 60 K’s and 25 walks. In his career he’s pitched in 186 minor league games (46 starts) and has a 3.84 ERA in 415 IP with 435 K’s and 183 walks. Austin has not appeared in a major league game. He features a sinker and four seam fastball (93-96 mph) change-up, slider and cutter. It’s likely he competes in spring camp for a roster spot with AAA level Lehigh Valley.
RHP Guillo Zuniga (26 years old) was released by the Los Angeles Angels on 11/14/24 - he appeared in 15 major league games with the Angels in 2024 posting a 5.09 ERA in 17.2 IP with 12 K’s and 8 walks. Zuniga was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves on 7/2/16 from Cartagena, Colombia, he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers on 12/6/17, by the St Louis Cardinals on 12/6/22 and then traded by the Cardinals to the Angels for cash considerations on 2/7/24. Guillo made his major league debut with the Cardinals in 2023 appearing in two games and pitching two innings. Last season he primarily pitched at the AAA level for Salt Lake appearing in 25 games (26 IP) recording 26 IP with 16 K’s and 8 walks. He’s appeared in 188 minor league games (284.1 IP) with a 4.59 ERA. The 6’5” hurler features a sinker and four seamer (96-99 mph), slider and changeup. He’s pitched for Team Colombia in the World Baseball Classic and is noted for having a high velocity fastball (has been in triple digits) and heavy sinker along with a power slider that can be a plus offering - he has struggled with command/control in his career - when he can harness that he’s been dominant - just inconsistent in doing so. Will likely get a big league ST camp invite - if doesn’t make the big club he provides a high heat bullpen option at AAA Lehigh Valley.
Infielder Luis Verdugo (24 years old) was in the Chicago Cubs organization prior to electing free agency on 11/4/24. He was signed by the Cubs as an international free agent on 7/2/17 from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Luis played the 2024 season at the AA level for the Tennessee Smokies and posted a .257/.313/.328 slash line in 447 plate appearances with 21 doubles, 2 home runs and 42 RBIs. Defensively he played all four infield positions but primarily saw time at third base. In his minor league career he’s played in 456 games making 1,824 plate appearances and has a .246/.311/.358 slash line with 94 doubles, 26 home runs and 207 RBIs. He also played in the Mexican Winter Pacific League this year for Tomateros de Culiacan and hit .286/.320/.471 in 77 plate appearances with 5 doubles and 2 home runs. He’s noted as a solid hitter with a selective approach who can hit to all fields - has been known as a streaky hitter. He’s given good grades as a fielder with good footwork and soft hands along with a plus arm - noted for excellent athleticism. Seems like a candidate to help fill an infield role at AA Reading.
If you missed my article on catcher Payton Henry whom the Phillies signed to a minor league contract on 12/10/24 here’s a link - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-10-24-phillies-sign-catcher-payton-henry-to-minor-league-contract.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Note : I've partnered with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.