Boston Red Sox: Rookie Tzu-Wei Lin a pleasant surprise so far

Boston Red Sox rookie Tzu-Wei Lin has been a pleasant surprise so far since being called up from the Double-A Portland Seadogs.

Boston Red Sox rookie Tzu-Wei Lin was not expected to play in Boston this season, but he made the jump from Double-A to the majors due to a number of infield injuries. So far, he has been a pleasant surprise.

Lin already had the skills of an MLB infielder, but his bat was questionable. With Portland this season, he hit at a .302 clip while adding five home runs. With Boston struggling at third base, Lin got the surprise call up towards the end of June.

Lin has made 29 plate appearences with the Red Sox, which is a small sample size, but he’s more than held his own. He has a .360 average and has also drawn three walks. Of Lin’s 9 hits, two are triples. He’s also notched 2 RBI and stolen a base in his 10 games for the Red Sox.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win

While Lin isn’t filling the stat sheet or crushing homeruns, he’s doing more from the 3B position than almost anyone else has all season long in Boston. It is important though to note that he has also made starts at shortstop and second base. Lin could provide the infield depth that Boston has sorely missed with Brock Holt out.

Red Sox manager John Farrell is certainly pleased with the production he’s getting from Linnie.

"“I think Tzu-Wei has been a pleasant surprise given the way he’s driven the baseball with the fair consistency he’s shown,” Farrell said Monday. “Linnie has done one heck of a job,” Farrell added on Tuesday."

Boston will continue to platoon the third base position, with Lin starting against right-handed pitchers and Deven Marrero starting against lefties. Both Pablo Sandoval and Josh Rutledge are eligible to return from the DL soon, but for now it seems like Tzu-Wei Lin will continue to be the man on the hot corner.

Next: David Price returns to form in Texas

For the latest and most up to date Boston Red Sox news make sure you’re following us on Twitter @CandCFansided!