Infielder Tzu-Wei Lin has agreed to a deal with the TSG Hawks of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (hat tip to CPBL Stats on Twitter). Lin had been playing with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, and the Ducks announced yesterday that the Hawks had purchased the 29-year-old’s contract.
It’s a homecoming for Lin, as the Hawks play in Lin’s birthplace of Kaohsiung. However, the signing marks Lin’s professional debut in Taiwan, as he has spent almost his entire pro career in North America since signing with the Red Sox for a $2.05MM bonus in 2012. Most of that time was spent in Boston’s organization, including 101 Major League games with the Sox from 2017-20. The Red Sox outrighted Lin off their roster following the 2020 campaign and he caught on with the Twins on a minor league deal, then appearing in a single MLB game during the 2021 season.
That marked Lin’s last trip to the Show, as he spent the rest of 2021 at Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate, and he then played in the Mets’ farm system throughout 2022 without another call-up. The Mets released Lin in August 2022 and he caught on with Long Island, plus he spent some time over the winter in the Australian Baseball League.
Lin bought a lot of versatility to the table during his big league career, appearing at every position except first base while primarily suiting up as a middle infielder. He hit .223/.298/.316 over 218 plate appearances in the majors, and also didn’t contribute much at the plate (.245/.317/.337) over 2828 PA in the affiliated minor leagues. Lin did hit very well during his stint with the Ducks, and it could be that he might keep this hot hitting going in front of the hometown fans in Kaohsiung.
I wish him well, but very glad he’s not on the Sox anymore. He simply couldn’t hit to save his life.
I mean how do you end up with a NEGATIVE OPS+ over the course of a month’s games??
> how do you end up with a NEGATIVE OPS+
2020 – OPS+ was -4
– 5’9” 180lbs
– pandemic outbreak of COVID-19
– 9 of 26 he games entered in either the 8th or 9th inning
– 10 of 26 he played the whole game
– 26 G 52 AB 8 hits 1 2B 2 BB 17 K
Baseball is a tough game. Some players make it seem much easier than it is. It is difficult enough to hit when you’re playing regularly and he was not, hitting or playing regularly.
A lot of players did not hit well during 2020. MLB banned the use of video in the dugout, which may have played a role in some of the bad performances that year.
Hemlock – I agree with all that, but I think his 88 OPS+ in the three years prior to Covid are indicative of his failure to launch base hits.
Yeah, he never hit well. That’s obviously why he never played with any regularity.
I left this point out of my other comment—
In the minors he hit 113 2B and 25 HR in 2511 career AB. Struck out around 20% walked around 11%. At 5’9” 180lbs, he either needed to hit for more power or lose some weight and gain speed. His profile had no discernable skill—no power, no speed, didn’t hit doubles or for a high Avg, didn’t walk, nothing special defensively…
I put too much thought into this but I was curious so there you go.
Hemlock – As always I appreciate your posts.
Why did bro sign with a CPBL Minor League twam?
Next year the team will be in the main league (will be a 6 team league) it’s probably a contract for 2024 season
Just feels like jumping the gun. I’d imagine they’d still be interested next year, and he can explore better options in the interim.
He had deadline to commit to CPBL by Aug 1st to enter free agency/draft to play 2024 season. Otherwise he’d be out of luck
News is getting real slow
Don’t click. Stop complaining about free content. You dweeb
The news isn’t as slow as you’re intelligence
Lin on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on…
Sam Travis— 2nd round pick also plays for ducks and is tearing it up… hope he gets another shot.. Sam lives in Orland Park as I do and went to St Michael school ( grammar ) many a church goers would always see me in Redsox shirt or hat and one of them asked me if I knew Sam was drafted by Boston ( I did not) followed his rise to the bigs and was at comensky ( cell dump) whatever you want to call it when he got start against Quintana… doubled and stole a base!!! ( Devon Mareno) homered and drove in 5/6 I believe ( career game) sale got win but was roughed up vs old club… but if was about a home town kid playing for my beloved Sox that was the story for me!!
Going to try to be Shohei in Taiwan , will be a Tzu Wei player
His stat line with the Twins in 2021 is the same as Moonlight Graham’s in 1905.