Paniagua spent most of the 1998 season with the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners' Class AAA affiliate, which play in the Pacific Coast League. He received a promotion to the Mariners in August, joining the Mariners' bullpen as a relief pitcher.
During the majority of the 1998 season, Paniagua played for the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners' Class AAA team that competes in the Pacific Coast League. In August, he was transferred to the Mariners and became a relief pitcher.