61 replies to this topic

[FanSinceBoggs]

I'm not worried about the lack of power--that is often the last tool/skill to develop especially for players of Lin's type.

Lin has been slumping as of late. . .

[ELMER FLICK]

I'm not worried about the lack of power--that is often the last tool/skill to develop especially for players of Lin's type.

Lin has been slumping as of late. . .

Power will have to develop at an amazing rate from that low level if he is going to be ready by 2011--or even 2012. He is 22 this year, so we should be seeing some signs of power developing, I would think, but it hasn't happened yet. And while you are right that he does show good plate discipline, the highest BA he has put up at any level is still below .270, so without any power, he is pretty limited, even more so if he can't improve his SB success. I'm hopeful, he has a lot of talent if he can put it all together, but I think he still has a lot to learn. At 22 in AA fortunately he has plenty of time.

[IKONOS]

Power will have to develop at an amazing rate from that low level if he is going to be ready by 2011--or even 2012. He is 22 this year, so we should be seeing some signs of power developing, I would think, but it hasn't happened yet. And while you are right that he does show good plate discipline, the highest BA he has put up at any level is still below .270, so without any power, he is pretty limited, even more so if he can't improve his SB success. I'm hopeful, he has a lot of talent if he can put it all together, but I think he still has a lot to learn. At 22 in AA fortunately he has plenty of time.

He wont turn 22 for another 3 months and he is relatively young for AA. I am extremely impressed by his BB/K ratio in AA which is a big jump up in quality. I think he is holding on his own very well and learning AA pitching at this point. He may never be a HR threat but I think he will improve his gap power in the second half of the season. At this point he is a perfect NL leadoff hitter and hopefully he will improve over the next year and half to bat either lead off or in the 9th hole for Sox. I agree he has not been able to use his speed yet other than in the field. He might get a September call up next year but Redsox calling him up permanently by middle of next year is highly unlikely. I think he will start next year in AA and move to AAA after couple of months. He is one of my fav prospects to follow along with Rizzo at AA.

[ELMER FLICK]

He wont turn 22 for another 3 months and he is relatively young for AA. I am extremely impressed by his BB/K ratio in AA which is a big jump up in quality. I think he is holding on his own very well and learning AA pitching at this point. He may never be a HR threat but I think he will improve his gap power in the second half of the season. At this point he is a perfect NL leadoff hitter and hopefully he will improve over the next year and half to bat either lead off or in the 9th hole for Sox. I agree he has not been able to use his speed yet other than in the field. He might get a September call up next year but Redsox calling him up permanently by middle of next year is highly unlikely. I think he will start next year in AA and move to AAA after couple of months. He is one of my fav prospects to follow along with Rizzo at AA.

I like him a lot too, and he is young for AA. I was reacting to this comment from FanSinceBoggs:

"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."

I think as promising as he is, he still has a lot to learn, and that prediction is very premature.

[FanSinceBoggs]

Lin is raking in August to the tune of a .364 BA, a .470 OBP, and a .906 OPS.

Relative to his BA, his OBP, or plate discipline more generally, continues to impress.

It might be time to promote him to Pawtucket.

[IKONOS]

Lin is raking in August to the tune of a .364 BA, a .470 OBP, and a .906 OPS.

Relative to his BA, his OBP, or plate discipline more generally, continues to impress.

It might be time to promote him to Pawtucket.

As much as I like Lin one hot streak doesn't mean he mastered the level. I dont think he will/should be promoted to AAA this year with only few more weeks left in the season. If he does extremely well in spring training next year he might start in AAA but a more likely scenario is he will start in AA and move up after couple of months.He has been playing extremely well since after the break but it is still a small sample. He should put up couple of months where his slugging percentage is higher than his OBP. He got better in his base stealing off late but he needs to improve it some more.

[Brianish]

As much as I like Lin one hot streak doesn't mean he mastered the level.

How about a season obp of .385?

[SoxScout]

His walk rate / contact percent combo is awesome and should allow him to sustain above average BA and OBP. Mixed with his sick defense in center, that is a major league player.

The power isn't there, and I was talking with one of the Sox Prospects guys who was saying while he makes elite contact, he has a hard time hitting the ball on the screws, which is a red flag in their eyes I would guess since he's been dropped from 10th to 17th on their prospect rankings.

Comparisons? Somewhere in a Nyjer Morgan, Brett Gardner, Denard Span universe?

Edited by SoxScout, 19 August 2010 - 11:10 AM.

[Brianish]

My understanding of him has always been that he'll get on base, and any power he flashes is a bonus. If he made it to the majors and put up the numbers he's got right now, combined with his defense I wouldn't bat an eye. I wouldn't bat him third, but you know.

Having said that, a team with our resources could probably aim higher. He'd be a pretty sick 4th OF, that's for sure.

And hell, who knows? Power comes last, as they say. He could pick it up a bit. If he came to the majors and got his SLG up to .400 I'd want him out there.

[Joshv02]

Comparisons? Somewhere in a Nyjer Morgan, Brett Gardner, Denard Span universe?

I've been thinking that the Brett Gardner comp works pretty well. (Lin walks a lot more than Span and Morgan at the same level.) What may be interesting is that Lin is a righty, while the three you list are lefties. A small distinction is that Lin has a bit more FBs (per GB) than Gardner, and that may bode well for an increase in future power.

[TimChiu]

Lin shows some raw power in BP but is unable to convert it in game actions at this moment.
He does have a fairly nice LD% (18.3%), and he is not one of those slap hitters, he does drive the ball.
His body is not major league ready yet, as he bulks up and make more adjustments, I think power will come.

[Koufax]

It has been nearly a year since anyone has posted about this guy, but it seems worth noting that he was promoted to Pawtucket at age 22 where his OPA has fallen off from cica .700 to circa .650. He has always been more of a defensive talent than a hitter, and I haven't actually seen him play, but it would seem possible that he might be a passable defensive replacement late in games when the Sox are ahead. Could he get a September call-up?