Emilio Pagán Fantasy Stats

The Cincinnati Reds plan to slow-play right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan and Tony Santillan in spring training this year. Both relievers are healthy in 2026, but they won't pitch in spring training games right away after pitching in so many high-stress situations in 2025, according to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. The Reds don't plan to sue Pagan or Santillan as much as they did last year, which is why they added relievers Caleb Ferguson, Pierce Johnson, and Brock Burke in the offseason. Pagan appeared in a career-high 70 games (68 2/3 innings), recording a 2.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, career-high 32 saves, 81 strikeouts, and 22 walks. Santillan appeared in a career-high 80 games and threw 73 2/3 innings in the regular season. The 34-year-old Pagan will open the year as Cincy's primary closer, but he could be on a short leash in the role if he continues to struggle to keep the ball in the yard.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan became the top option in the bullpen last season. Pagan took over as the primary closer and ran away with the job. He finished the season with a 2.88 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and an 81/22 K/BB ratio with 32 saves in 70 appearances. The biggest concern is the fly-ball rate in a hitter's park in Cincinnati. His 56.7% fly-ball rate is too high to continue having the type of success he experienced last season. Pagan gave up 10 long balls across 68.2 innings, which was his most since the 2022 campaign. His 29.1% ground-ball rate doesn't do him any favors. The 34-year-old will likely need to miss bats and record strikeouts at a higher rate to replicate the same success. Given the lack of competition, Pagan should be a safe bet for around 20 saves, but another 30-plus season seems unlikely.

The Cincinnati Reds re-signed closer Emilio Pagan on a two-year, $20 million deal on Wednesday, according to Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Pagan, 34, took over the closer role for a struggling Alexis Diaz early last season and never looked back. Pagan finished the year with 32 saves while pitching to a 2.88 ERA (3.18 SIERA) and a 30% strikeout rate. The veteran right-hander is expected to open 2026 as the Reds' primary closer again, with Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft also contributing in the back end of the bullpen. Hats off to those fantasy managers who drafted him at his current 185.09 ADP, because he is quickly going to move up draft boards now that he's officially back in Cincy to close games. UPDATE: Pagan signed a one-year, $10 million deal that includes a $10 million player option for the 2027 season.

Cincinnati Reds reliever Emilio Pagan notched his 20th save of the season on Sunday, working a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. The 34-year-old is enjoying a resurgent season, as he's gone 20/23 in save opportunities while recording 2.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched. Pagan still allows far too many home runs (1.62 HR/9), but he limits base runners (.157 batting average against). He last received regular work as a closer back in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays, but he's earned a decent runway to remain the Reds' top save option the rest of the way.

Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan notched his 19th save in a 9-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Pagan needed 16 pitches to put away the Phillies in a scoreless, one-hit ninth inning with no strikeouts or walks. It was the 34-year-old's first save opportunity since June 22. Already on the verge of his second 20-save season and his first since 2019, Pagan has posted a 2.92 ERA with 45 strikeouts, 12 walks, and a meager 0.86 WHIP over 37 innings. He has surrendered just one earned run in his past 12 appearances.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan was given the ball with a three-run lead in the ninth inning during Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Pagan needed a bounce back outing after blowing the save during Saturday's contest. The right-hander threw a scoreless final frame to earn his 18th save of the season. Before Saturday's outing, Pagan hadn't blown a save since early May. Pagan isn't an elite option, but he has been reliable enough to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats where saves matter.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan bounced back from Tuesday's blown save with a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday night against the Braves. He allowed a single to Michael Harris II but struck out Eddie Rosario to end the game to preserve a one-run victory. That strikeout was one of Pagan's two punchouts in the ninth inning. He is up to 20 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings and is 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA, 3.73 FIP, and 0.63 WHIP. He has converted nine of his 11 save opportunities and also picked up a hold. He remains the main option in the back end of the Reds' bullpen and should be a good source of saves, especially if the Reds' offense can get back on track.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan was called upon to protect a two-run lead against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. The right-hander didn't need to do much work as he notched in eighth save of the season on seven pitches. Pagan has a 2.51 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and 14/2 K/BB ratio with eight saves in nine attempts this season. He deserves to be rostered in all fantasy formats where saves matter. Alexis Diaz figures to be in the mix for saves, but pitched the eighth inning on Monday. It looks like the Reds are going to keep riding with Pagan until he gives them a reason otherwise.

Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan picked up his seventh save of the season on Saturday, securing the 6-4 victory over the Rockies. The righty struck out the first two batters he faced before allowing a walk and a double that would result in one run scored, but would get the final batter to strike out as well to end the game. The 33-year-old has filled in admirably as the Reds' closer this season, with Saturday being just the third time in 14 games that he's allowed a run to score, producing a 2.70 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, and a 2:14 BB:K (25.5 percent K-BB%). Alexis Diaz pitched the eighth inning, so Pagan should be the closer so long as he remains effective.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan earned his fifth save of the season with a clean ninth inning against the Marlins. He only needed nine pitches to close out the 5-2 win in Miami, getting three straight fly outs to right field. Pagan has converted five of his six save opportunities with one hold as well. He has nine strikeouts and a 2.38 ERA and has held opponents to a .105 batting average. Pagan should remain the Reds' primary closer and be a good source of saves, although his hard contact rate does indicate there could be some regression if he continues to give up so many hard hits.