Che-Hsuan Lin

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Che-Hsuan Lin
Lin with the Boston Red Sox in 2012
Fubon Guardians – No. 1
Outfielder
Born: (1988-09-21) September 21, 1988 (age 37)
Hualien County, Taiwan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: April 14, 2012, for the Boston Red Sox
CPBL: August 14, 2015, for the EDA Rhinos
MLB statistics
(through 2012 season)
Batting average.250
Home runs0
Runs batted in0
CPBL statistics
(through April 9, 2025)
Batting average.280
Home runs64
Runs batted in342
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Che-Hsuan Lin (Chinese: 林哲瑄; pinyin: Lín Zhéxuān; born September 21, 1988) is a Taiwanese professional baseball outfielder for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox.

Career

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Lin was born in Hualien County, Taiwan. He helped his 12-and-under Bronco League team to the World Championship with a grand slam.[1] He also has played with other Taiwan national teams, including the Junior World Championship squad in 2007.[citation needed]

Boston Red Sox

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Lin was acquired by the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in June 2007.[2] He has put up solid numbers since joining the professional baseball ranks in the United States the same year, being rated as having the best outfield arm in the Boston minor league system, according to Baseball America.[citation needed] In 2010, Lin was selected as having the best strike-zone discipline, and the best defensive outfielder in Red Sox Top 10 Prospect Scouting Report.[3] Basically a line-drive hitter, he makes good contact – quick, strong wrists – with average gap power, hitting well to all fields. Lin has also been recognized for his solid outfield skills, having good range, enough speed and a hard throwing arm.[citation needed]

Lin played for the GCL Red Sox, Lowell Spinners of the New York–Penn League, Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League, and Portland Sea Dogs in the Eastern League. He played for the Triple A Pawtucket Red Sox in the International League.

In 2008, Lin was selected for the annual All-Star Futures Game. Lin hit a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw that helped the World team beat the US Team, 3–0. He finished 2-for-2 and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.[4]

In 2008, Lin ranked eighth in the Boston Red Sox prospects list. He also was selected to play in the Olympics for the Chinese Taipei baseball team.[5] He was invited to spring training with the Boston Red Sox in 2010 and 2011.[6][7]

On May 21, 2011, Lin was promoted to Triple-A and played with the Pawtucket Red Sox.[8] To protect him from the Rule 5 draft, he was added to the 40-man roster on November 18, 2011 along with Drake Britton and Will Middlebrooks.[9][10]

Lin during his tenure with the Boston Red Sox in 2012

On April 14, 2012, Lin was called up to replace the injured Jacoby Ellsbury.[11][12] His 9th-inning appearance as a defensive replacement on April 14 made him the eighth player from Taiwan to play in a Major League Baseball game. He was optioned back to Pawtucket after the game.[13] Lin rejoined the Red Sox on May 20 to provide depth in the outfield, with injuries to Cody Ross, Ryan Sweeney and five others on the disabled list.[14][15] On May 21, Lin recorded his first major league hit off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Troy Patton.[16]

On October 17, 2012, the Red Sox announced that Lin was designated for assignment to make room for right-handed pitcher Sandy Rosario on the Sox's 40-man roster.[17][18]

Houston Astros

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On October 26, 2012, Lin was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.[19][20] On December 19, 2012, Lin was designated for assignment by the Astros and on December 21 he was assigned outright to the Oklahoma City RedHawks. On November 4, 2013, he elected free agency.[21]

Texas Rangers

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Lin with the Oklahoma City RedHawks in 2013

Lin signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on December 15, 2013. The Rangers intended to use Lin as a pitcher.[22] The Rangers released him on December 23, 2014.[23]

After being released by the Rangers, Lin stated that he would no longer be playing baseball in North America.[24]

EDA Rhinos/Fubon Guardians

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Lin joined the EDA Rhinos, later rebranded as the Fubon Guardians, after he was drafted by the club at #1 overall in the 2015 Chinese Professional Baseball League draft. In his first campaign with EDA, Lin slashed .244/.359/.372 in 20 games. In 2016, Lin slashed .345/.434/.570 for the Rhinos in 107 games.[25] Lin and the Rhinos won the Taiwan Series in 2016 and Lin was named the MVP of the series.[26] In 2017, Lin was named team captain.[27] In the first season with the team as the Fubon Guardians, Lin hit .296/.374/.405 with 3 home runs, 43 RBI, and 9 stolen bases in 91 games. In 2018, Lin played in 106 games for Fubon, hitting .278/.342/.425 with 10 home runs, 59 RBI, and 18 stolen bases.

In 2019 for Fubon, Lin hit .314/.363/.469 with 9 home runs and 48 RBI in 112 games. In the delayed 2020 CPBL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lin hit .291/.392/.455 with 9 home runs and 32 RBI in 73 games for the Guardians.[28] Lin was in the Guardians' starting lineup for Opening Day in 2021. On the season, he posted a slash of .238/.334/.331 with 5 home runs, 23 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 84 total contests.

Lin made 38 appearances for Fubon in 2022, slashing .244/.321/.319 with one home run, 4 RBI, and 5 stolen bases. On July 26, 2022, Lin suffered a labral tear in his left shoulder while attempting a diving catch against the Wei Chuan Dragons. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the season.[29] Lin's 2024 and 2025 seasons were also slowed by injuries. He played 55 games in 2024, and eight through September 12, 2025, the day that he announced his retirement, effective at season's end.[30] Before the 2025 regular season began, Lin trained at the Driveline Baseball facility founded by Kyle Boddy. During rehabilitation for a back injury suffered in April of that year, Lin considered retirement, finalizing his decision by July.[31]

International career

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He was selected Chinese Taipei national baseball team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic, 2013 World Baseball Classic and 2017 World Baseball Classic.

On October 15, 2018, he selected 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series exhibition game against Japan,[32] but he canceled his participation for Chinese Taipei.[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Scandura, Mike (January 10, 2012). "Another Centerfielder Named Lin". MILB.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  2. ^ "Red Sox sign top draft pick". ESPN. July 5, 2007. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  3. ^ Callis, Jim (December 23, 2009). "Top 10 Prospects Scouting Reports: Boston Red Sox". Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  4. ^ "Red Sox prospect Lin powers World team to Futures Game victory". ESPN. July 14, 2008. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  5. ^ Shpigel, Ben; Curry, Jack (July 14, 2008). "Prospects Are Mindful of Olympics' Approach". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  6. ^ "Can Lin swing big-league bat?". Winchester Telegram. March 4, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  7. ^ Underhill, Nick (March 12, 2011). "Red Sox reassign 10 players to minor league camp and option 2 to Portland". MassLive. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  8. ^ Andrews, Mike (May 24, 2011). "SoxProspects: Patrolling the outfield". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "Red Sox add three players to 40-man roster". MLB.com. November 18, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  10. ^ Abraham, Peter (November 18, 2011). "Red Sox add three players to 40-man roster". Boston.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  11. ^ Abraham, Peter (April 14, 2012). "Lin on his way to Boston". Boston.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  12. ^ Abraham, Peter (April 15, 2012). "Che-Hsuan Lin picked as outfield fill-in for Red Sox". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  13. ^ Abraham, Peter (April 14, 2012). "One and Done for Che-Hsuan Lin". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  14. ^ MacPherson, Brian (May 20, 2012). "With Ross and Sweeney questionable, Lin called up". Providence Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  15. ^ Edes, Gordon (May 20, 2012). "Sweeney, Ross hoping to play Monday". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  16. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (May 22, 2012). "Boston Red Sox rally for 8-6 win over Baltimore Orioles". Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  17. ^ "Red Sox claim Rosario off waivers from Marlins". MLB.com. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  18. ^ Abraham, Peter (October 17, 2012). "Red Sox claim RHP Rosario from Marlins". Boston.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  19. ^ McTaggart, Brian (October 26, 2012). "Astros claim Che-Hsuan Lin off waivers from Red Sox". MLB.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  20. ^ "Astros claim Che-Hsuan Lin off waivers from Boston". MLB.com. October 26, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  21. ^ "Che-Hsuan Lin Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  22. ^ Sullivan, T. R. "Rangers sign Armando Galarraga, Daniel Bard to Minor League deals". MLB.com. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  23. ^ Eddy, Matt (January 11, 2015). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 24-Jan. 8". Baseball America. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  24. ^ http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/ [dead link]
  25. ^ "Guardians announce contract extension for Lin Yi-Chuan, Kao Kuo-Hui & Hu Chin-Lung". March 20, 2017. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  26. ^ "Rhinos charge to Taiwan Series win – Taipei Times". October 30, 2016. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  27. ^ "Taiwan baseball star Lin Che-Hsuan announces retirement". TVBS. September 12, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  28. ^ "Che-Hsuan Lin Minor & CPBL Leagues Statistics & History | Baseball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  29. ^ @gocpbl (July 26, 2022). "Fubon Guardians 林哲瑄 (Lin Che-Hsuan) has been diagnosed with a labral tear in his left shoulder" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Yang, Chi-fang; Chao, Yen-hsiang (September 12, 2025). "BASEBALL/Former MLB player Lin Che-hsuan to retire after 2025 season". Central News Agency. Retrieved September 16, 2025. Republished as: "Fubon Guardians' Lin Che-hsuan set to retire". Taipei Times. September 13, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  31. ^ "Fubon Guardians captain Lin Che-hsuan announces retirement". TVBS. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  32. ^ "台日交流賽名單公布 中職好手征戰日本福岡". 中華職棒大聯盟全球資訊網 The Official Site of CPBL (in Chinese (Taiwan)). October 15, 2018. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  33. ^ "「ENEOS侍ジャパンシリーズ2018」チャイニーズ・タイペイ代表選手 出場選手変更について". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
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