Emilio Pagán was born on May 7, 1991, in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 208 pounds, Pagán began his baseball journey in high school, showing promise as a pitcher. He continued to hone his skills at Belmont Abbey College, where he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. Pagán quickly advanced through the minor leagues, making his MLB debut on May 3, 2017, with the Mariners.
Pagán is known for his powerful fastball, which consistently clocks in the mid-90s, complemented by a sharp slider. His ability to strike out batters is a key component of his game, with a career strikeout rate of 10.5 per nine innings as of 2023. Pagán's command and poise on the mound make him a reliable option in high-leverage situations, often utilized as a setup man or closer.
Throughout his MLB career, Pagán has played for several teams, including the Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, and Minnesota Twins. In 2019, while with the Rays, he recorded a career-high 20 saves and a 2.31 ERA, establishing himself as one of the league's top relievers. Pagán's 2019 performance earned him recognition as a key contributor to the Rays' postseason run.
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