BA GRADE
40
Risk: Medium
Born: Feb. 15, 1994. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 170. Signed: Taiwan, 2012. Signed by: Louie Lin/Jon Deeble/Eddie Romero.
Lin represented a player with a diverse skill set—the glove and arm to play shortstop, speed, and good bat-to-ball skills—that the Red Sox signed him out of Taiwan for a $2.05 million bonus in 2012. The on- and off-field cultural transition proved long and challenging, with Lin’s offensive passivity holding back his progression through the system.
This spring, Sox officials challenged Lin to use some of the strength in his swing and to focus on hard contact even if it meant an uptick in swings and misses. The message took and set the stage for something of a revelation, with Lin earning a big league promotion after hitting .302/.379/.491 in 48 games to start the year in Double-A. He gave the Sox a midsummer spark, hitting .268/.369/.339 in 23 big league games before spending most of the season’s remainder Triple-A Pawtucket.
Defensively, Lin added impressive work in centerfield to already solid defense at short, second, and third. That versatility, in combination with high contact rates, the ability to shoot gaps with his liners, and good baserunning speed suggest a player who could have a lengthy career as a valuable utility man.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2015 |
Salem (CAR) |
HiA |
.281 |
73 |
281 |
37 |
79 |
|
Portland (EL) |
AA |
.202 |
46 |
173 |
21 |
35 |
2016 |
Portland (EL) |
AA |
.223 |
108 |
372 |
39 |
83 |
2017 |
Portland (EL) |
AA |
.302 |
48 |
159 |
31 |
48 |
|
Pawtucket (IL) |
AAA |
.227 |
35 |
141 |
12 |
32 |
|
Boston (AL) |
MAJ |
.268 |
25 |
56 |
7 |
15 |
Major League Totals |
.268 |
25 |
56 |
7 |
15 |
||
Minor League Totals |
.240 |
501 |
1868 |
250 |
449 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2015 |
Salem (CAR) |
12 |
3 |
2 |
34 |
22 |
|
Portland (EL) |
5 |
3 |
0 |
14 |
16 |
2016 |
Portland (EL) |
10 |
5 |
2 |
27 |
34 |
2017 |
Portland (EL) |
9 |
3 |
5 |
19 |
20 |
|
Pawtucket (IL) |
5 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
11 |
|
Boston (AL) |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
Major League Totals |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
|
Minor League Totals |
77 |
19 |
13 |
181 |
201 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2015 |
Salem (CAR) |
32 |
15 |
3 |
.331 |
.367 |
|
Portland (EL) |
27 |
8 |
3 |
.268 |
.266 |
2016 |
Portland (EL) |
55 |
10 |
7 |
.287 |
.293 |
2017 |
Portland (EL) |
27 |
8 |
2 |
.379 |
.491 |
|
Pawtucket (IL) |
28 |
2 |
4 |
.283 |
.319 |
|
Boston (AL) |
17 |
1 |
1 |
.369 |
.339 |
Major League Totals |
17 |
1 |
1 |
.369 |
.339 |
|
Minor League Totals |
330 |
69 |
32 |
.312 |
.323 |
|