Updated May 05 2017
Former Wilmington Shark and Forest City Owl Emilio Pagan (photo courtesy Forest City Owls) made his Major League debut May 3 for the Seattle Mariners. Pagan came on in relief in the fifth inning of a 8-7 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Pagan was drafted by the Mariners in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of Belmont Abbey. The right-hander compiled an impressive Minor League resume before his call-up, holding a 2.47 ERA over 236 2/3 innings pitched to go along with 287 strikeouts and 47 saves. Pagan spent time earlier this spring helping Puerto Rico reach the championship round of the World Baseball Classic.
“He’s a young guy who we like,” manager Scott Servais told The News Tribune. “He was a WBC guy with Puerto Rico. We didn’t see him a ton in spring training. He just had a couple of outings late. Good arm. Good breaking ball.”
A South Carolina native, Pagan spent two summers playing in the Coastal Plain League, 2011 in Wilmington and 2012 in Forest City, finishing with a combined 4.09 ERA over 22 2/3 innings pitched and 32 strikeouts. He marks the 95th overall former CPL player to make his major league debut, and the first this season. His debut pushes the Owls, who share their history with previous CPL franchise Spartanburg, major league alumni total to nine and the Sharks to eight.
About the CPL
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 21st season in 2017, the CPL features 15 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 95 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.
Shelby Hilliard
Phone:919-852-1960