Lin pitched for Chinese Culture University in Taipei before heading to the Northwoods League in 2022. He walked 24 batters in 15 2/3 innings there but still earned an opportunity in the MLB Draft League the following summer, where he posted more promising numbers (3.24 ERA, 15 K, 10 BB in 16 2/3 IP) and had the showcase circuit’s best fastball velocity. The Cardinals signed him for $500,000 on July 3, making him the organization’s first player signed out of Taipei in its history. Lin has opened the 2024 campaign with promising results at Single-A Palm Beach.
Standing at 6-foot-7, Lin is certainly a presence on the mound, albeit a rather skinny one. He’s averaged 96.6 mph on his four-seamer through his first five Florida State League starts, and it has a ton of arm-side run too with 16.4 inches of horizontal movement. Lin leans on the heater a lot as he gets his career going, but his upper-80s changeup shows some promise with similar arm-side movement and enough separation to generate a whiff rate above 40 percent. It gives him a weapon against lefties and has helped ward off splits issues. The righty is also working on a mid-80s slider that stands out more for its vertical drop.
Lin’s control was a major question mark during his two campaigns in summer collegiate ball, but he’s been better at throwing strikes so far on the pro side. Because he only measures in at a reported 188 pounds right now, there is some projectability remaining even at 22 years old. He has the raw materials to be a fun project for St. Louis, and the early returns are promising for his starting chances.
