Emilio Pagán Bio
Emilio Enrique Pagán, born on May 7, 1991, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed reliever, he has spent his big-league career bouncing between clubs while developing into a dependable late-inning arm. He has also represented the Puerto Rico national baseball team in international competition.
Across his major league career, Pagán has pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, and Cincinnati Reds. He is recognized for his power arm, his work in high-leverage bullpen roles, and his contributions to Puerto Rico on the international stage.
Early Life and Background
Emilio Enrique Pagán attended J. L. Mann High School in Greenville, South Carolina, where he played baseball and built the foundation of his pitching career. After graduating, he continued his playing career at Belmont Abbey College, a small Catholic institution known for producing competitive Division II baseball talent.
At Belmont Abbey, Pagán refined his mechanics and added velocity, drawing attention from professional scouts. His college performance led to his selection in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, when the Seattle Mariners chose him in the 10th round. The selection marked the beginning of his journey through the minor leagues and, eventually, the major leagues.
Path to Baseball
After being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2013, Pagán began climbing through the minor league system. He made his professional debut that same year with the Pulaski Mariners before moving to the Everett AquaSox. In 26.1 relief innings across the two clubs, he posted a 1.03 earned run average (ERA) with 35 strikeouts, an early sign of the swing-and-miss stuff that would define his career.
He continued his development in the lower minors with the Clinton LumberKings in 2014 and the Bakersfield Blaze in 2015, gaining experience as a late-inning reliever. By 2016, he reached the upper levels of the Mariners system, splitting time between the Jackson Generals and Tacoma Rainiers and posting a combined 2.49 ERA in 65 innings pitched. His performance earned him a spot on Puerto Rico’s roster for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he pitched two scoreless innings and helped his nation capture a silver medal.
Emilio Pagán Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Pagán spent his first four professional seasons working his way through Seattle’s minor league affiliates. His progression from Pulaski to Everett, Clinton, Bakersfield, Jackson, and Tacoma gave him experience at every level of the system and prepared him for the demands of major league baseball.
His breakout came in 2016, when he combined a 5–3 record with a 2.49 ERA across Jackson and Tacoma. That performance, along with his role on Puerto Rico’s 2017 World Baseball Classic roster, positioned him for his first taste of the major leagues the following spring.
Seattle Mariners Breakthrough (2017)
Pagán began the 2017 season with Triple-A Tacoma before earning his promotion to the majors on May 2. He made his major league debut on May 3, 2017, against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field, a milestone that capped a four-year climb through the minors.
He moved between Tacoma and Seattle multiple times before settling in the Mariners’ bullpen for the remainder of the season. In 34 relief appearances for Seattle, he finished 2–3 with a 3.22 ERA, showing enough promise to draw trade interest the following offseason.
Oakland Athletics (2017–2018)
On November 15, 2017, the Mariners traded Pagán and Alexander Campos to the Oakland Athletics for Ryon Healy. The trade gave Oakland a young reliever with a power arm and gave Pagán a fresh opportunity in a new organization.
He began 2018 with Oakland but was optioned to the Nashville Sounds on May 2 before being recalled on May 18. His time with the Athletics proved brief, setting the stage for another move that winter.
Tampa Bay Rays (2018–2019)
On December 21, 2018, the Athletics traded Pagán to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team deal that sent Jurickson Profar to Oakland. The move placed him in a bullpen known for developing relievers into late-inning weapons.
After an impressive spring training in 2019, Pagán opened the year at Triple-A Durham before being recalled on April 16 when Blake Snell fractured his toe. He shuttled between Durham and Tampa Bay through the first weeks of the season before sticking in the majors for good. Pagán became the team’s closer and finished 2019 with 20 saves, a 2.31 ERA, and 96 strikeouts across 70 innings, establishing himself as a reliable high-leverage arm.
San Diego Padres (2020–2021)
On February 8, 2020, the Rays traded Pagán to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Manuel Margot and Logan Driscoll. The Padres installed him in a late-inning role as they pushed toward the postseason.
His early results were rocky, as he posted a 7.36 ERA through August 20, 2020, with four blown saves. Pagán then steadied himself, allowing only two runs across 11 innings the rest of the way for a 1.64 ERA in that stretch. He finished 2020 with a 4.50 ERA in a Padres uniform and posted a 4.83 ERA in 2021, continuing to handle relief work in San Diego’s bullpen.
Minnesota Twins (2022–2023)
On April 7, 2022, the Padres traded Pagán, Chris Paddack, and a player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins for Taylor Rogers, Brent Rooker, and cash considerations. The deal gave Minnesota a fresh arm for the back end of their bullpen.
In 2022, Pagán went 4–6 with a 4.43 ERA in 59 relief appearances and recorded nine saves. The Twins avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract on January 13, 2023. He responded with a 5–2 record, a 2.99 ERA, and one save in 2023, and on September 30 he made his first career major league start as an opener against the Colorado Rockies, adding a new dimension to his role.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2024–Present)
The Cincinnati Reds signed Pagán to a one-year contract with a second-year option on December 1, 2023, bringing veteran stability to their bullpen. He opened the 2024 season working out of Cincinnati’s relief corps and posted a 4.43 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 22 games before a right lat strain sent him to the injured list on June 9. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 27 and activated on August 10, finishing the year once healthy.
On December 4, 2025, Pagán re-signed with Cincinnati on a two-year, $20 million contract, locking in his place as a core member of the Reds’ bullpen for the foreseeable future.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pagán relies on a power repertoire built around a high-velocity fastball and a sharp breaking ball, allowing him to miss bats in short stints. He has thrived in one-inning relief roles, using his strikeout ability to escape late-inning jams and protect leads. His experience as a closer with the Tampa Bay Rays underscored his composure in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pagán’s career milestones include his major league debut on May 3, 2017, his 20-save season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019, and his first career start as an opener on September 30, 2023. Internationally, he helped Puerto Rico earn a silver medal at the 2017 World Baseball Classic and returned for the 2023 tournament, pitching a scoreless inning as his team reached the quarterfinals.
Emilio Pagán Career Wins
Emilio Pagán has built his career primarily as a relief pitcher, accumulating saves and wins across multiple organizations. His 20-save season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019 stands as his most prolific year in the closer role, while his steady work with the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds has showcased his durability and consistency.
Major League Highlights
Pagán’s most notable save total came during his 2019 campaign with Tampa Bay, when he converted 20 saves while striking out 96 batters in 70 innings. He added nine saves for the Minnesota Twins in 2022 and has served as a late-inning option for Cincinnati since 2024. His first major league appearance came with the Seattle Mariners on May 3, 2017.
Other Wins and Performances
Internationally, Pagán pitched two scoreless innings for Puerto Rico during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, helping the team capture a silver medal. He returned for the 2023 World Baseball Classic and delivered one scoreless inning as Puerto Rico advanced to the quarterfinals, reinforcing his value on the international stage.
Emilio Pagán Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Emilio Pagán’s family background are limited. He grew up in the Greenville, South Carolina, area and attended J. L. Mann High School before continuing his baseball career at Belmont Abbey College.
Personal Life
Verified personal details about Pagán’s spouse and children are not publicly available. He is identified as an American professional baseball pitcher who also represents the Puerto Rico national baseball team.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Emilio Pagán continued his role in the Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen after signing a two-year, $20 million contract on December 4, 2025. The deal reflected Cincinnati’s confidence in his veteran presence and his track record of missing bats in late-inning situations.
His 2024 season showed both his value and his durability challenges, as he posted a 4.43 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 22 games before a right lat strain cost him two months. Pagán returned healthy in August and provided steady work down the stretch, reinforcing his standing within the Reds’ relief plans.
With his contract secured through 2026, Pagán enters 2025 as a trusted setup option and potential closer candidate for Cincinnati. His experience across six organizations and his international success with Puerto Rico give the Reds a battle-tested arm for the back end of their bullpen as they pursue their postseason goals.