Lin Wei-En Promoted to Triple-A, One Step Away from MLB, Setting Youngest Taiwanese Record at Age 20

(CNA Reporter Lin Hung-Han, Los Angeles, 5th) MLB's official website announced that Taiwanese left-handed pitcher Lin Wei-En has been promoted to the Oakland Athletics' minor league highest level, Triple-A, taking a step closer to the Major Leagues. He reached Triple-A at the age of 20 years and 7 months, setting the record for the youngest Taiwanese player ever to play in the US to reach this level.

Lin Wei-En graduated from Pingzhen High School two years ago and started his professional career in the US last year. In his first full season, he went through three levels, moving up from Single-A to High-A, and then to Double-A. Starting this season, his second in the US, in Double-A, Lin made 10 starts, recording a high-level 1.93 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched.

Triple-A is the highest level of the minor leagues, gathering top prospects and players with Major League experience. Lin Wei-En is now one step closer to the Major Leagues.

Historically, over 100 Taiwanese players have challenged the US Major Leagues, with about 30% reaching the Triple-A level at an average age of around 23. Lin Wei-En's surprisingly rapid promotion speed surpasses that of Lin Yu-Min from two years ago. Left-handed pitcher Lin Yu-Min of the Arizona Diamondbacks system was 21 years and 2 months old when he was promoted to Triple-A in 2024.

Most Taiwanese players climbing towards the Major Leagues progress through Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, but there are exceptions like Wang Wei-Chung. Due to the Rule 5 draft in 2014, he jumped directly from the Rookie league to the Major Leagues, only playing in Triple-A afterwards. Wang Wei-Chung was only 21 when he reached the Major Leagues.

Lin Wei-En's performance this year with the Athletics' Double-A team, the Midland RockHounds, has been repeatedly recognized. In early May, he was selected for the authoritative media "Baseball America" Top 100 Prospects list, ranking among the top 2% of minor league players in the US. In early June, Lin was named the Texas League's Pitcher of the Month.

After reporting to the Athletics' Triple-A team, the Las Vegas Aviators, Lin Wei-En will become teammates with another Taiwanese pitcher, Chuang Chen Chung-Ao. Chuang Chen Chung-Ao is in his fifth year playing in the US and is 25 years old this year. (Editor: Chou Yung-Chieh) 1150606

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