TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese pitcher Lin Wei-en (林維恩) earned praise from coaches and teammates during his first month on the mound for Oakland A’s Single-A affiliate, Stockton Ports.
After five games this season, Lin is the team’s strikeout leader with 31 strikeouts over 20 innings. He also ranks third in strikeouts in the California League, comprised of eight minor league teams, per CNA.
Lin is a recent graduate from Taoyuan’s Pingjen High School. In February, he represented Taiwan on the mound in the World Baseball Classic qualifier.
Lin signed a US$1.35 million (NT$43.5 million) contract with the Oakland A’s. On Tuesday, in his most recent outing against the LA Dodgers' affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Lin tossed 48 pitches over three innings in relief.
His top pitch reached 150 kph. He allowed four hits, including one home run, and two earned runs.
After the game, Lin was critical of his performance. He said, “Although I did not perform well, I attacked the strike zone.”
Lin has surrendered 17 hits, including three home runs, and six runs over 20 innings. His current earned run average is 2.70, and he has yet to issue a walk.
In one outing earlier this month, Lin struck out seven batters over nine innings. After the game, team manager Javier Godard joked that he could play in the Major Leagues next year.
Lin said his current goals include physical fitness. "If I get called up next year, my fitness will not be good enough, and I will not be able to keep up with the pace of play over the season," he said.
Lin said he is also learning about batters in the minor league who have more power than those at the college level. He said he needs to vary his pitch selection and improve execution.
