Paul Sewald Bio
Paul Stanton Sewald, born on May 26, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an American professional baseball pitcher. A free agent, he has built his career in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a reliable reliever, beginning with the New York Mets in 2017 and continuing across several franchises. Over the years, Sewald has become known for his command from the bullpen, his late-inning resilience, and his steady presence in high-leverage situations.
Sewald attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas before playing college baseball for the San Diego Toreros at the University of San Diego, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was selected by the New York Mets in the tenth round of the 2012 MLB draft and steadily worked his way through the minor leagues before reaching the majors. His path has included stints with the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, and Detroit Tigers, and he has earned recognition as a dependable closer during his time in Seattle and Arizona.
Early Life and Background
Paul Stanton Sewald was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended Bishop Gorman High School. As a senior in 2008, he posted a 7–0 win–loss record with a 1.57 earned run average, earning All-State honors. Despite his strong high school performance, he went undrafted in the 2008 MLB draft and chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
His father, Mark Sewald, is a former college baseball pitcher who was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in 1979. Both of his parents are accountants, and Sewald himself earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of San Diego, a background that has given him a measured approach both on and off the field.
Path to Professional Baseball
Sewald enrolled at the University of San Diego and played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros. During his senior season in 2012, he compiled an 8–4 record with a 3.09 earned run average across 15 games, including 14 starts. His development as a pitcher at the collegiate level helped position him for professional opportunity.
The New York Mets selected Sewald in the tenth round, with the 320th overall pick, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, signing him to a $1,000 bonus. He began his professional career that same season with the Brooklyn Cyclones of the Low–A New York-Penn League and steadily advanced through the minor leagues, gaining experience in relief roles at every level.
Paul Sewald Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
After signing with the Mets, Sewald debuted professionally with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2012, posting a 1.88 earned run average across 28 and two-thirds relief innings. In 2013, he pitched for the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Single–A South Atlantic League, recording a 3–2 record and a 1.77 earned run average in 35 relief appearances.
He continued to progress in 2014 and 2015, pitching for the St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Mets, and Las Vegas 51s at various levels, while also representing the United States national baseball team at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, where he earned a silver medal. By 2016, he had become a fixture in the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s bullpen, finishing the year with a 5–3 record and a 3.29 earned run average across a career-high 65 and two-thirds innings.
New York Mets Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Sewald made his MLB debut on April 8, 2017, against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field, allowing two runs in a third of an inning. After a brief option back to Triple–A, he returned to the Mets in May 2017 and spent the remainder of the season in the major leagues. In 57 relief appearances, he posted a 0–6 record and a 4.55 earned run average, but he continued to develop his command and pitch repertoire.
On September 24, 2019, Sewald earned his first MLB win in a walk-off victory against the Miami Marlins, ending a streak of 118 consecutive major-league appearances without a victory, the second-longest such streak in MLB history. He also ended a 14-game losing streak, the longest to start a career in National League history. After struggling in the shortened 2020 season, the Mets non-tendered him on December 2, 2020.
Seattle Mariners Era (2021–2023)
Sewald signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization in January 2021 and was selected to the active roster in May. In his Mariners debut, he earned a win while striking out four batters, and he quickly became a key piece of Seattle’s bullpen, finishing the year with a 10–3 record and a 3.06 earned run average in 62 games.
In 2022, Sewald flourished as the Mariners’ closer, posting a 5–4 record with a 2.67 earned run average and 20 saves across 64 innings. On January 13, 2023, he agreed to a one-year, $4.1 million contract to avoid salary arbitration, cementing his role as a late-inning anchor for Seattle.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2023–2024)
On July 31, 2023, the Mariners traded Sewald to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 20 regular-season appearances for Arizona, he recorded a 3.57 earned run average and converted 13 of 15 save opportunities. He remained the team’s closer throughout their postseason run, pitching eight consecutive scoreless playoff appearances on the way to the 2023 World Series, where the Diamondbacks ultimately fell to the Texas Rangers.
Sewald missed the start of the 2024 season with an oblique strain but returned strong, going a perfect 11-for-11 in save opportunities with a 0.54 earned run average. After several blown saves inflated his earned run average to 4.23, manager Torey Lovullo removed him from the closer’s role in early August.
Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers Era (2025)
On January 22, 2025, Sewald signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Cleveland Guardians, including a mutual option for 2026. In 18 appearances for Cleveland, he recorded a 1–1 record and a 4.70 earned run average with 18 strikeouts and two saves across 15 and one-third innings. On July 15, he was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain.
On July 31, 2025, Sewald was traded to the Detroit Tigers. He was activated from the injured list on September 18 and made four appearances for Detroit, recording a 4.15 earned run average with two strikeouts across four and one-third innings. The Tigers declined his 2026 option on November 6, making him a free agent.
Arizona Diamondbacks Return (2026–Present)
On February 14, 2026, Sewald signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks, rejoining the organization where he had enjoyed his most prominent postseason success. His return provided the bullpen with a familiar veteran presence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sewald’s most defining moment came on September 24, 2019, when he recorded his first MLB win after 118 winless appearances, the second-longest such drought in MLB history. He also played a key role in the 2023 World Series run with the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitching eight consecutive scoreless postseason appearances before the championship round against the Texas Rangers.
Paul Sewald Career Wins
Across his MLB career, Paul Stanton Sewald has compiled a 23–30 win–loss record with a 4.05 earned run average, 502 strikeouts, and 104 saves through June 19, 2026. His victories have come in relief roles for the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, and Detroit Tigers, with his most productive stretch coming in Seattle from 2021 to 2022.
Seattle Mariners Highlights
Sewald enjoyed his most consistent winning stretch with the Seattle Mariners from 2021 to 2022, combining for 15 wins and 20 saves across 126 innings. His 2021 debut with the club produced a 10–3 record and a 3.06 earned run average, while his 2022 season featured a 2.67 earned run average and a full season as the team’s primary closer.
Paul Sewald Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sewald comes from a baseball family. His father, Mark Sewald, is a former college baseball pitcher who was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in 1979. His younger brother, Johnny Sewald, played college baseball as an outfielder at Arizona State University and was selected in the 14th round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Houston Astros.
Personal Life
Sewald met his wife, Molly, while pitching in the Arizona Fall League, when she was attending Arizona State University. Their first child, a daughter, was born in August 2021. The family has continued to be a central part of his life as he has moved between organizations throughout his MLB career.
2025 Season Performance
Paul Stanton Sewald entered the 2025 season with the Cleveland Guardians after signing a one-year, $7 million contract in January. In 18 appearances for Cleveland, he posted a 1–1 record and a 4.70 earned run average, recording 18 strikeouts and two saves across 15 and one-third innings before a right shoulder strain placed him on the injured list in mid-July.
On July 31, 2025, the Guardians traded Sewald to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He was activated from the injured list on September 18 and appeared in four games for Detroit, finishing the year with a 4.15 earned run average and two strikeouts across four and one-third innings. The Tigers declined his 2026 option on November 6, returning him to free agency.
