The A’s were very aggressive in acquiring talent on the international amateur market during the 2024 signing period, handing out three seven-figure bonuses. Two hitters, Venezuelan outfielder Jose Ramos and Dominican shortstop Edgar Montero, each got $1.2 million at the start of the period in January, but then the A’s went to the Far East to sign Lin, a Taiwanese left-hander for $1.13 million in June. The 19-year-old has jumped straight to the full-season California League for his pro debut in 2025, with solid early returns.
A 6-foot-2 left-hander, Lin has a combination of feel for as many as five pitches and projection to his frame. Right now his fastball averages just 91 mph, but it tops out at 95, and it’s easy to see that his frame has tremendous room to add good strength, with more consistent velocity to come. It already had the makings of a quality heater, thrown from around a 5.9-feet release height and with more than 18 inches of carry to it, helping it to miss a good amount of bats. His changeup has been his best secondary offering to date, with huge whiff rates during his debut. His short curve is his go-to breaking ball thus far, though he has a harder, shorter slider. He’ll also employ a splitter for another offspeed possibility.
It’s been a small sample size so far in his first full season, but Lin looks like he has the makings of being an extreme strike-thrower, showing particularly good command of his fastball and curve. If the teenaged southpaw is able to fill out and throw harder, the A’s could have a very interesting left-handed starting pitcher prospect on their hands.
