Lin was one of five teenage starting pitching prospects making their full-season debut opening weekend, with 2024 draftees Bryce Meccage, Dasan Hill, Braylon Doughty, and Padre’s 2023 international free agent Jose Lopez. Lin and Lopez’ debuts were extended relief. Lin signed out of Taiwan last June and didn’t log any complex league innings, so this was his first professional box score. Lin went three shutdown innings, striking out seven, including the final six faced, allowing no hits, no walks, and no runs while facing the minimum nine over 46 pitches (65 strk%). Lin has spent time with the Tawainese national team. Listed at 6′2″ and 179 lbs with a broad-shouldered frame, there’s room to add mass. The booth relayed that the A’s have been impressed with Lin, especially the changeup. After an inning of settling in, we saw Lin start to utilize more of his mix.
I doubt Lin will get a lot of dynasty interest given his velocity, but the fastball may possess other traits making it play up, so to speak. The slow spin game may need some work, but there’s an interesting mix of stuff and pitcher here. Lin dominating the Cal and putting up some production doesn’t seem far fetched. In 2024 we saw Tugboat Wilkinson do such a thing, and I’d be curious how the data compares the arsenals, especially the fastballs. All that said, Lin strikes me as an interesting watch who may have some exciting dynasty development left.