Sheng-En Lin

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #17 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
  
  Track Record: There are few two-way players where picking a position is a difficult decision. Most, like Reds’ 2017 first-rounder Hunter Greene, quickly specialize. But when the Reds signed Lin in 2022 for $1.2 million, they viewed him as a potential MLB pitcher and hitter, and two years later, they still don’t have a clear answer. Lin hit .308/.418/.419 in the Arizona Complex League as a shortstop/third baseman, but his bridge and instructional league stint as a pitcher was so impressive that the Reds now plan to develop him as a pitcher/DH, even though he’s yet to pitch in an official game in his first two pro seasons.
  
  Scouting Report: Lin showed real feel to hit with some power and speed in the ACL, even if his defensive home was less obvious. There are bat-to-ball skills and the chance to be a long-term power-speed threat. Shortstop may be a bit too fast for him long-term, but he was plausible as a third baseman or speedy outfielder. But when he went to the mound after the season, he immediately sat 92-96 mph with advanced control and command for his age and experience level. He also embraced the role, making it clear he enjoyed pitching. He showed an above-average slider, a potentially above-average 82-85 mph split-change he can bury in two-strike counts.
  
  The Future: The Reds don’t want to close the door to Lin hitting, but he’s now a pitcher who will also hit, rather than a position player who dabbles in pitching. His spring training will determine whether he returns to the ACL as a pitcher or jumps to Daytona in his new role.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70 | Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 |
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #29 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Lin has been a star for Taiwan’s junior teams, which also gave U.S. scouts a chance to see him in action against the best of the 2023 draft class. He dominated in two outings on the mound in the 2022 18U World Cup and was named the tournament’s top pitcher while also hitting .375 as an outfielder. The Reds signed him for $1.2 million in June 2023. He made his U.S. debut in August in the Arizona Complex League, where he played nine games.
  
  Scouting Report: The Reds are just getting to fully know Lin, who is just beginning to settle into playing baseball stateside. Lin was a true two-way prospect coming out of Taiwan. Many teams wanted to see him pitch, and he’s shown a mid-90s fastball that touches 99. The Reds want to see how well his athleticism and hitting ability plays, but pitching will remain a viable fallback option. Lin played both center field and shortstop in his brief pro debut. Either seems like a plausible option, but his plus-plus speed fits especially well in center.
  
  The Future: Lin is trying to become the first Taiwanese position player to make a significant impact in the U.S. Yu Chang currently is the most successful of the three Taiwanese position players to play in the major leagues. Lin’s athleticism and plus tools give him a shot, but he’s years from Cincinnati.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60