Lin Sheng-En of Chinese Taipei pitches during the WBSC Baseball World Cup Opening Round Group B game between Chinese Taipei and Japan at Ed Smith Stadium on September 13, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson – Samurai Japan/SAMURAI JAPAN via Getty Images)
By Julian Guilarte
World Baseball Network
The Cincinnati Reds have signed 17-year-old two-way Taiwanese player Lin Sheng-En on June 3.
Lin will start his career the Reds will start in the middle infield, but has also played the outfield and pitched in Taiwan. The Reds signed him for $1.2 million with a $100,000 tuition allowance, according to the website CPBLstats.com.
In 2022, Lin represented Taiwan in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup and played four games in the outfield with an OPS of .830. He also pitched 10.2 innings with seven strikeouts and an ERA of 1.97 in the event.
In April of 2023, Lin Sheng-En participated in the E.SUN Cup, where he attracted scouts from MLB, NPB and various other leagues. He pitched well in the E.Sun Cup, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out four batters.
Lin Sheng-En left $1.4 million on the table from the NPB to sign with the Reds, according to ETtoday. Lin eflected on his decision to sign with the Reds during his press conference.
“I ultimately chose the Cincinnati Reds because I feel MLB style of play suits me better,” said Lin. “My swing and my plate approach are more in line with the American style.”
He expressed gratitude for all the teams that perused him during his signing process. The Reds plan is to have the left-handed hitter hit and play defense in year one of his contract and then evaluate his pitching in year two. A Reds scout believes that if pitching works out, he could end up being a reliever.
Lin Sheng-En throws right-handed on the mound and has already been clocked at over 96 mph on his fastball and has a slider, curveball, and changeup as secondary pitches. Lin told the media his goal is to be a two-way player and make the Major Leagues within five years.
“If I had a son, I would want Lin Sheng-En to be my son,” said Reds scout Jamey Storvick, who had been tracking Lin, told CPBLstats.com.