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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

Emilio Pagán’s 2025 season was a career-defining performance that saw him emerge as one of the most reliable closers in the National League. After several years of "up-and-down" results, Pagán fully locked in as the Reds' primary stopper, recording a career-high 32 saves (tied for 5th in MLB) with a stellar 2.88 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. His dominance was fueled by a redefined pitch mix; while his 96-mph heater remained effective, his splitter became a true wipeout pitch, sporting a 41% whiff rate. He was particularly instrumental down the stretch, converting 10 scoreless innings with six saves in September to help propel the Reds into the final NL Wild Card spot.

In December 2025, the Reds moved quickly to secure their bullpen anchor, re-signing Pagán to a two-year, $20 million contract. The deal includes a player opt-out after the 2026 season, giving the 34-year-old veteran the chance to test free agency again if he replicates his 2025 form. Entering 2026 spring training in Goodyear, the Reds have adopted a "slow play" approach for Pagán. Pitching coach Derek Johnson noted that because Pagán was used so heavily in 2025 (70 appearances), he won't see significant game action early in the spring to ensure he’s fresh for Opening Day.

For fantasy managers, Pagán is a solid "Tier 2" closer option with an ADP around 143.