61 replies to this topic

[NH_Sox fan14]

Che-Hsuan Lin

Center fielder for the GCL Red Sox

Age: 18
Born: September 21, 1988
Hualien, Taiwan
Height: 6-1
Weight: 183
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: Not drafted
How Acquired: International free agent (June 2007)
High School: Nan-Ying (Taiwan)
ETA: 2012


Scouting Report: Spectacularly athletic centerfielder likely would have been a supplemental first round pick in the 2007 draft had he been eligible. Ichiro-like speed with a cannon arm. Makes good contact and plays solid defense. Decent power potential. The Red Sox outbid several teams for Lin's services. Also, at least one team significantly outbid Boston, but Lin preferred to play for the Red Sox organization.

Edited by NH_Sox fan14, 20 June 2007 - 01:08 PM.

[NH_Sox fan14]

#29 on top prospects list on soxprospects.com

[NH_Sox fan14]

videos of Che-Hsuan Lin playing center field:
http://video.yahoo.c...y?vid=258482

http://video.yahoo.c...play?vid=248200

[NH_Sox fan14]

Lin got his first GCL hit on june 22, a single. He went 1/4 in the game.

[NH_Sox fan14]

So far so not very good for Lin.
.161/.222/.194

He is now #32 on www.soxprospects.com

[NH_Sox fan14]

Lin got player of the week on www.soxprospects.com for july 15-21, he hit .429/.484/.821 (1.305 OPS) in 28 at bats.

So far in 25 games and 99 at bats Che-Hsuan Lin has gone .263/.484/.821/(1.305 OPS) with 3 HR, 18 RBI and 7 stolen bases

[mt8thsw9th]

So far in 25 games and 99 at bats Che-Hsuan Lin has gone .263/.484/.821/(1.305 OPS) with 3 HR, 18 RBI and 7 stolen bases

He's gone .250/.323/.444

[NH_Sox fan14]

He's gone .250/.323/.444

I put the stats he had through 99 at bats

[asphyxiation]

Which 99 AB? I can't find any possible reason this makes any sense. He's only had 108 AB, and I doubt he's put up a 1.305 OPS for the past 99 of them.

[NH_Sox fan14]

Which 99 AB? I can't find any possible reason this makes any sense. He's only had 108 AB, and I doubt he's put up a 1.305 OPS for the past 99 of them.

Player of the Week, July 15-21: Lin
http://soxprospects....ges/lin.che.jpgGCL Red Sox CF Che-Hsuan Lin swung the bat at a blistering .429/.484/.821 (1.305 OPS) rate in 28 ABs, hitting two HR, three doubles and one triple, batting in and scoring eight runs and stealing two bases, earning SoxProspects.com (Position) Player of the Week honors for July 15-21. Lin, 18, a highly-touted Taiwanese free agent is .263/.484/.821/1.305 in his U.S. debut with three HR, six doubles, two triples, 18 RBI and seven stolen bases (2 CS) over 99 ABs in 25 games. Honorable mention: Greenville CF Josh Reddick who went .375/.448/.875/1.323 with three HR, one double, one triple and two stolen bases, scoring five runs and batting in 10.

[mt8thsw9th]

A quick re-read would indicate that is a typo, and they erroneously took his OBP and SLG from his player of the week honors and plugged them into his totals on the year. It's not a surprise to you that his OBP and SLG for those 28 at bats and his season totals are exactly the same?

[NH_Sox fan14]

Che-Hsuan Lin's real statistics:

.250/.323/.444/(.767 OPS) 3 HR, 18 RBI and 7 stolen bases

Edited by NH_Sox fan14, 29 July 2007 - 03:20 PM.

[Chainsaw318]

Lin hasn't appeared in a game since 8/10. Anyone know why? Couldn't find anything with a quick search.

[Rdsxmbnt]

I believe it was mentioned that he left the team for some classes in Taiwan, he is back now. Since it hasn't been updated for a while: .263/.333/.449 /.782 on the year in 156 AB.

[bubblesld]

Lin had a good game in Taiwan today:

http://embed.wretch....C8xMDA3ODkwOTA5

[LondonSox]

Lin's start in Greenville is pretty impressive
296/397/444

6 extra base hits now, 4 steals, 7bb/9Ks and not yet 20

[dadahope]

Lin has another good game today,went 3 for 3, BB, R , 2B.

He's now batting .308/.430/.446 with K/BB ratio=11/10, comparing to 52/22 last year.

[SouthPaw21]

RotoWorld had a blurb on Lin today...

19-year-old outfielder Che-Hsaun Lin went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk Monday for low Single-A Greenville.
Lin is batting .308/.430/.446 with five steals in 65 at-bats. The native of Taiwan hs very good speed and should last in center field. His lack of big-time power potential holds him back as a prospect, but he's rather promising anyway.

[LondonSox]

Lin had 3 steals in another good performance today, but gien the total lack of power he's shown he needs to be stealing! I think it's very interesting, in terms of how highly thought of he is by the Sox, that Kalish is shifted to RF so Lin can stay in CF. Kalish's injury and start in XST no withstanding I think it's very interesting. This kid is moving from outside prospect to really exciting and the power is the only question mark tools wise, and he's only 19

[SaveBooFerriss]

This kid is moving from outside prospect to really exciting and the power is the only question mark tools wise, and he's only 19

Although he hasn't shown much power yet, I beleive scouts see him as having power potential. So, I don't think that power as a "tool" is as much as a questinon as when will it translate into power production.

Anyway, I'm very high on him and have him ranked 6th in my informal rankings with Clay, Masterson, Lowrie, Anderson & Bowden ahead of him and Kalish, Tejeda, Reddick, Moss & Bard slightly below him.

[Eli95]

I am a long-term lurker currently living in the south. I headed down to Rome to watch Greenville play last Friday, and caught the end of BP. Lin seemed to be taking everything to rightfield, and he did that in the game as well. He didn't show tons of power to the opposite field, but his patience was impressive. His caught stealing was one of at least three successful pickoffs on the night. He has a really exaggerated leg kick that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

I am a long-term lurker currently living in the south. I headed down to Rome to watch Greenville play last Friday, and caught the end of BP. Lin seemed to be taking everything to rightfield, and he did that in the game as well. He didn't show tons of power to the opposite field, but his patience was impressive.

Yep. This pretty much describes how his season has gone.
--------------------------
15/17 LD have gone to CF or RF
3/3 HR have gone to LF
--------------------------
Lin is currently riding a 15 game hit streak by going 2-4 tonight with a triple pushing his season totals to .297/.398/.442.

[Again2004]

From BA Hot sheet,

No. 6 CHE-HSUAN LIN, CF

Team: low Class A Greenville (South Atlantic)
Age: 19
Why he's here: .385/.500/.654 (10-for-26), 1 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 R, 1 SB
The Scoop: The Red Sox signed Lin for $400,000 out of Taiwan last June and he went on to hit .243/.317/.408 in the GCL and New York-Penn leagues in his U.S. debut. While his numbers at the plate weren't mind blowing, he showed off some impressive tools, particularly in the field where his speed, instincts, and arm strength caught scouts' eyes. This year, his bat has come along with his defense. Lin has emerged as Greenville's leadoff hitter as he's batting .291/.395/.425 on the season. He turned in three multi-hit games this week and is currently riding a 14-game hitting streak.

[SouthPaw21]

Ben Badler from Baseball America chatted about this week's Prospect Hot Sheet, and had some comments about Lin's potential.

Q: james from texas asks:
could CHE-HSUAN LIN become a 5 tool prospect

A: Ben Badler: Lin is one of the most interesting prospects in the lower minors right now. He already has the 70 arm, plus speed and fielding skills, and he's got a good approach at the plate. The bat is a weapon too... not sure if that fifth tool, the power, will be an above-average tool, but there's some projection there too. Right now he's more of a line-drive hitter.

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Through 205 AB's:

.263/.364/.380

3 HR
9 2b

38 SO
27 BB

18 SB
5 CS

Splits (OPS):
vs. Lefty: .817 (58 Ab's)
vs Righty: .716


Lin had cooled off a bit in May posting a .714 OPS for the month. He has yet to develop much power but he is getting on base a a pretty good clip.

Edited by Jeff Van GULLY, 04 June 2008 - 09:53 AM.

[JimEdSF]

[codebox]Split PA AB ISOP HR BB% K% BABIP GB% LD% AVG OBP SLG wOBA
April 121 103 .106 1 11.6% 15.7% .337 45% 16% .282 .383 .388 .343
May 109 93 .119 2 12.8% 16.5% .288 59% 10% .247 .349 .366 .324
June 37 34 .177 0 5.4% 21.6% .385 56% 28% .294 .351 .471 .356
AWAY 136 117 .111 1 9.6% 13.2% .327 55% 16% .282 .370 .393 .336
HOME 131 113 .132 2 13.0% 20.6% .321 49% 14% .257 .359 .389 .338[/codebox]

Lin having a good June so far, despite a spike in K rate, largely due to a pretty impressive 28% LD rate.

[SouthPaw21]

RotoWorld had a little blurb about Lin today...

Low Single-A Greenville's Che-Hsaun Lin went 4-for-5 with a homer, two doubles and six RBI on Sunday.
Lin is hitting .265/.363/.403, which is a pretty good line for a 19-year-old in full-season ball. He's also swiped 24 bases in 30 attempts. Since he's likely to remain a center fielder at higher levels, he has a chance to be a major league regular someday. He probably wouldn't have the power to make it as a right fielder.

[njingles3]

Lin just hit a two run bomb in his first at bat in the Futures Game.

[BostonBrahmin]

He put a hell of a swing on that ball. Really nice work on an inside pitch.

[SoxScout]

Is it too early to say it? I don't know but World outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin made a strong case for the Futures Game MVP by hitting a two-run homer in the top of the seventh to put his team up, 3-0. The kid won't stop smiling. He's having some serious fun. Good for him.

http://futures.mlblo...aluable_pl.html

[SoxScout]

He added a bloop single and was named MVP. Of course he was booed by the NY fans.

[Pearl Wilson]

"This guy has a tremendous amount of international experience, even at the age that he is," said Hazen. "He's played on the Taiwanese national team. He played against Cuba and Japan and Australia and Korea in all those international competitions so he's had a decent amount of experience for a 19-year-old kid. He's had a lot more than a lot of our other guys have had, I'll say that. I think he's a little bit more worldly and mature in that area, because he's been exposed to more."

And there will be more in Lin's near future. He will suit up for Taiwan in the 2008 Summer Olympics, cutting short his season in Greenville by about a month.

mlb.com

[SouthPaw21]

Nate Stephens over at RotoWorld had this to say about Lin, and his recent performance at the Futures Game.

In the top of the seventh, Che-Hsuan Lin broke the six-inning scoring drought with a two-run blast over the fence in left. The homer came on a 96 MPH fastball from right-hander Ryan Mattheus and was just fair. Lin, who was signed out of Taiwan by the Red Sox for $400,000, was struggling for Low-A Greeneville and I remarked before the game that given his performance and level of play he was perhaps the least qualified player to be there. Naturally, he has the biggest at-bat of the day while also adding a single and then winning the MVP award. Lin has a lot of work left to do, but he's got five tools and the potential to be a .280-20-30 corner outfielder. He joins Alfonso Soriano, Sean Burroughs, Toby Hall, Jose Reyes, Grady Sizemore, Aaron Hill, Justin Huber, Billy Butler, and Chin-Lung Hu as players who have won the Futures Game MVP award.

[SoxScout]

I wonder what that guy was thinking when he called him a future corner outfielder.

[mikeford]

Here's a clip of Lin at the Olympics in Beijing playing for the Taiwan national team. The clip in question shows off his incredible arm in CF:

[Carmine Hose]

Lin was named Red Sox minor league defensive player of the year.

http://boston.redsox...e...sp&c_id=bos

[knucklecup]

Lin went 2-3 in the WBC this morning/last night in the first game and has gone 1-3 thus far tonight.

He did just strike out in a critical situation just a second ago.

Like his game though...

[phrenile]

MLB.com:

One of the Minor League extras on Monday's trip was outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin, the Most Valuable Player of the Futures Game last July at Yankee Stadium. Lin batted ninth and played right field. "The only thing I really know is that they say he's some kind of defensive player," Francona said. "I'm kind of looking forward to watching him play. They say he's really good athlete. It will be fun to watch." Lin notched a third-inning single in the Red Sox's 4-3 loss to the Braves.

[champain2002]

Ok, he's at the next level from where he played last year. In his first two games as leadoff hitter for Salem, Lin has gone 4-for-9 with two doubles, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI. Numerically, that's .444/.455/.667. He also has a stolen base. It's ok, a lot of prospects start off slowly when they move up a level.

Yesterday he led off with a double, scrambled to third when Aaron Reza grounded out to the right side of the infield and then scored when Ryan Kalish did the same. Lin later singled, going 2-3 with an rbi and an stolen base in Salem's 3-2 victory.

Lin said he is already comfortable in the leadoff role, through translator Mickey Jaing, because he was the leadoff hitter for the Taiwan team in the World Baseball Classic this spring. Now, he said, he is just trying to do his job.

But Lin stole his first base of the season in the eighth inning Friday, after leading off the inning with a single, and when talk turned to stealing bases Lin's eyes lit up and he no longer needed a translator.

He nodded enthusiastically when asked if stealing bases was his favorite thing to do. "Yes," he said.

"He likes to try to dominate," said translator Mickey Jaing, checking his answer with Lin and getting more nods and a huge smile in agreement.

"He likes to challenge the pitcher and catcher. And he likes to challenge himself."

Roanoke Times

Edited by champain2002, 11 April 2009 - 03:05 PM.

[champain2002]

Lin did not play Sunday after being hit by a pitch by Frederick Keys reliever Chris Salberg in Saturday's game. He was lifted for a pinch runner and on Sunday his arm just above the elbow was bruised and swollen. The HBP loaded the bases as part of the go ahead 5 run 7th inning rally in Saturday's 6-5 Salem win over Frederick. No timetable has been given for his return to the lineup.
Roanoke Times
Through the first three games he is 5 for 12, .417/.467/.583 with 1 SB and 1/2 K/BB and an error.

Edited by champain2002, 13 April 2009 - 06:38 AM.

[Saturnian]

Che-Hsuan Lin went 0-6 tonight; he is now oh for his last 20, and 3 for his last 38. According to Minor League Splits, this is despite a LD% of 22.5. Over the last week, he has a BABIP of .091, despite a LD% of 25.

Edited by Saturnian, 30 April 2009 - 11:51 PM.

[Saturnian]

Che-Hsuan Lin continues to rope the ball, and he is finally seeing some success as a result. He is hitting at a .284/.415/.400 rate since May 2, and he is still due for a sizable correction, if he maintains his ridiculous 27.4 LD%.

Lin also has 5 outfield assists in the last two weeks. The Kalish-Lin-Place outfield must have been fun to watch while it lasted...

[SoxScout]

April .136/.209/.169
May .290/.396/.387
June .292/.407/.393

He's also 1/1 with a HR tonight that's not included. Players who have bad first months at any level really need to fight to get back on the map...

[templeUsox]

75 on the arm

[FanSinceBoggs]

I like Lin's plate discipline this year--he has been very impressive in that regard: 44 walks, 281 at bats. At this juncture, Lin's on-base percentage is over .100 higher than his batting average. Lin has exceptional speed, is an exceptional defensive player, and is developing above average on-base percentage skills. Hence, Lin is developing a nice and valuable combination of tools and skills: above average speed and defense to go along with above average on-base percentage skills.

In comparison, Ellsbury never developed above average on-base percentage skills (he doesn't walk enough), and has a much weaker arm.

Edited by FanSinceBoggs, 09 July 2009 - 07:26 AM.

[Quintanariffic]

I like Lin's plate discipline this year--he has been very impressive in that regard: 44 walks, 281 at bats. At this juncture, Lin's on-base percentage is over .100 higher than his batting average. Lin has exceptional speed, is an exceptional defensive player, and is developing above average on-base percentage skills. Hence, Lin is developing a nice and valuable combination of tools and skills: above average speed and defense to go along with above average on-base percentage skills.

In comparison, Ellsbury never developed above average on-base percentage skills (he doesn't walk enough), and has a much weaker arm.

Ellsbury had a .101 IsoD in Lowell and a .80 IsoD in Wilmington (Hi A). Both figures are well above average for those leagues. It's great to suck Lin's dick and all, but let's get the facts straight.

Edited by Quintanariffic, 09 July 2009 - 08:33 PM.

[SaveBooFerriss]

It's great to suck Lin's dick.

I'll take your word for it.

[SonsOfCharlieZink]

Kevin Thomas takes a look:

Lin, 21, is considered one of Boston's top prospects because of his defense. He was invited to major league spring training camp this year.

"He is unbelievable," said Sea Dogs outfielder Ryan Kalish, who has played with Lin the past two years in Class A. "If it's a nice, easy, routine ball, he makes it look so smooth.

"If someone is running on him, that's when it's fun. Then you get to see his arm, which is unlike anything you've ever seen."

[FanSinceBoggs]

Lin is making a seamless transition to Double-A this year. While he has not yet developed power, his on-base skills continue to impress (.383 OBP). When you factor in his speed and defense (above average range and arm), I think we are looking at the Red Sox long term player in CF.

In fact, Lin could be ready to start in CF for the Red Sox in 2011. Though, that might be rushing things. A more likely scenario: Lin begins the 2011 season in Triple-A and will be promoted during the season and used as a 4th outfielder and might even share some playing time with Cameron in CF. I would expect Lin to be the Red Sox starting CF in 2012.

With Lin's development, Ellsbury is becoming more and more expendable. Lin is a better defensive player, with a stronger arm, and Lin has more potential in terms of plate discipline, an aspect of Ellsbury's game that has not improved: his OBP has remained steady relative to his BA with little or no improvement in #P/PA, O-Swing%, and Z-Swing%. I suppose Ellsbury could start in LF next year, but I prefer OPS guys in the corners.

Edited by FanSinceBoggs, 09 June 2010 - 01:29 AM.

[ELMER FLICK]

Lin is making a seamless transition to Double-A this year. While he has not yet developed power, his on-base skills continue to impress (.383 OBP). When you factor in his speed and defense (above average range and arm), I think we are looking at the Red Sox long term player in CF.

In fact, Lin could be ready to start in CF for the Red Sox in 2011. Though, that might be rushing things. A more likely scenario: Lin begins the 2011 season in Triple-A and will be promoted during the season and used as a 4th outfielder and might even share some playing time with Cameron in CF. I would expect Lin to be the Red Sox starting CF in 2012.

With Lin's development, Ellsbury is becoming more and more expendable. Lin is a better defensive player, with a stronger arm, and Lin has more potential in terms of plate discipline, an aspect of Ellsbury's game that has not improved: his OBP has remained steady relative to his BA with little or no improvement in #P/PA, O-Swing%, and Z-Swing%. I suppose Ellsbury could start in LF next year, but I prefer OPS guys in the corners.

Lin has exactly 6 extra base hits this year (4 2B, 2 HR) in 232 AB +35 BB, which gives something like 267 PA or a bit more depending on how many sacrifices he has. Against lefthanders, he has exactly 0 extra base hits. As for his speed, he has 7 SB and 9 CS, so speedy as he is, he isn't yet using it effectively on the basepaths. I really want to see Lin succeed, Hwa Lien, his home town, is one of my favorite small cities. (The coastal road from Taipei to Hwa Lien is one of the most beautiful drives in the world, it is cut out of the rock half way up a cliff, and it used to be just one lane, with traffic allowed one way in the morning, then the opposite way in the evening. A frightening drive, but an amazing one.) But maybe we better hold off a while on writing Elsbury's ticket out of town.