The Athletics' farm system has a new name you need to know: Wei-En Lin. The No. 4 prospect in the organization is absolutely dominating Double-A right now, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.
Lin, a 20-year-old left-handed pitcher from Taiwan, signed with the A's during the 2024 international signing period and wasted no time making an impact. After just 13 games in the California League in 2025, he earned a rapid promotion to High-A. He finished that season in Double-A, helping the Midland RockHounds during their playoff push.
Now, in 2026, Lin is back in Double-A to start the season—and he's been nothing short of unstoppable. There were some concerns late last year when his fastball velocity dipped, but those worries are long gone. Lin has rediscovered his power, now sitting comfortably at 95 mph and occasionally touching 96 mph. That uptick has made him a force in the Texas League, and MLB.com has already named him the A's hottest pitching prospect.
Here's what the scouts are saying: "While the 20-year-old left-hander isn't a pure stuff guy, he seems to be really building a head of steam as his season with Double-A Midland unfolds. He's gone at least five innings in his last four starts, allowing just three earned runs over 23 IP in those outings. For the season, he's second in the Texas League in ERA and BAA, while standing third in strikeouts and WHIP."
Lin's command is his secret weapon. He controls all of his pitches well and is constantly fine-tuning his arsenal. If he keeps this trajectory, he could be a front-end starter for the Athletics sooner than you think. Whether you're a die-hard A's fan or just love following rising stars, Wei-En Lin is a name worth remembering.
