The Cincinnati Reds have a farm system loaded with talent, but the single most exciting prospect is Sheng-En Lin. The 19-year-old out of Taiwan was signed back in 2023 and has been working his way through the minors as a two-way player.
While Lin isn’t currently as impressive as prospects like Sal Stewart or Edwin Arroyo, he’s the 14th highest prospect in Cincinnati’s organization. He is also still a teenager who’s presumably a few years away from being ready for the MLB. Despite not being considered for the next wave of call-ups, here’s why Lin is the Reds’ most intriguing prospect.
In the 12 games Lin pitched in this season (37.1 IP), Lin posted a 2.89 ERA with 48 strikeouts. Seeing as though in that time he gave up only 22 hits and four home runs, he’s showing he can be a difficult pitcher to hit.
Lin’s outings are mainly limited to shorter relief roles, as nine of his 12 games resulted in a save on the stat sheet for him. Considering Cincinnati’s need for guys in the bullpen, this alone is a promising sign.
Lin’s repertoire includes a fastball, a changeup, and a slider. While this isn’t the bulkiest toolbox, it’s a solid three-pitch mix that can consistently keep batters guessing.
Lin’s fastball can reach up to 97 mph while his changeup and slider reside around 85 and 80 mph, respectively. He also shows decent command of the strike zone, meaning his pitches should only get more effective with time.
While Lin is putting up solid numbers on the mound, the real excitement comes from his ability to play multiple positions. Aside from pitching, he’s also spent time at third and short.
Although Lin is a decent fielder, this season he is batting .172 through 87 at-bats with 15 hits, five of which went for extras, and two home runs.
Looking at Lin’s entire career in the minors is more promising, as he has a .258 average with 74 hits (including eight triples) and three home runs. Lin has a long way to go as a hitter if he wants to justify playing in the field, but he’s still in the single-A leagues as a 19-year-old.
With more than enough time to develop and an already solid floor, Lin is the most exciting prospect in the Reds’ system. He’d be intriguing enough with his pitching stats alone, but his athleticism and ability at the plate elevate his potential to a rarified air.
Lin is certainly a better pitcher than a hitter, but even his stats at the plate aren’t indicative of the player he is, but rather where he is in his development. Still two years away from being legally allowed to drink alcohol, the potential he shows at his age is incredibly exciting.
Thanks to one Shohei Ohtani, two-way pitchers are in fashion like maybe never before. While Lin is nowhere near the caliber of player that Ohtani is, Cincinnati is invested in him as a two-way player.
This means Lin will have a real chance to develop both on the mound and at the plate. There may be several players much closer to MLB time than he is, but with what Lin brings to the table, he is undoubtedly the most exciting Reds prospect.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
