Yao-Lin Wang

From BR Bullpen

Yao-Lin Wang (王躍霖)

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

BR register page

Biographical Information[edit]

Yao-Lin Wang pitched in the minor leagues and the CPBL. He is the brother of Wei-Chung Wang and cousin of Cheng-Hao Wang,

Wang was the first Taiwan amateur to sign with a MLB organization in 2009. In June of that year, he joined the Chicago Cubs, with a $260,000 signing bonus. Wang's fastballs had touched 94 mph. He made his pro debut on June 20, 2010, for the Boise Hawks. Starting against the Yakima Bears, Wang allowed five hits, two walks and four runs (three earned) in 3 2/3 innings. He had a 6.43 ERA in 4 games for the Hawks, and he pitched 8 games with a 2.12 ERA with the AZL Cubs. He was 4-4 with a 3.22 ERA in Boise in 2011.

The Taitung native then represented Taiwan in the 2011 Baseball World Cup. He was 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA, losing a 2-1 pitching duel to Shairon Martis of the Netherlands and a 3-1 battle with Naobumi Mitsuhashi of Japan. He led Taiwan's qualifiers in ERA. He had a 3.92 ERA in 37 appearances with the class-A Peoria Chiefs in 2012, then he pitched for Taiwan in several international events. He pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers against New Zealand and helped Taiwan advance. He also represented Taiwan in the 2012 Asian Championship, and he allowed 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, struggling with control against the Netherlands before Wei-Lun Pan bailed him out.

Wang had a 3.42 ERA in 24 games for Daytona Cubs in 2013, and he pitched for Taiwan in the 2013 East Asian Games. He slumped to 4-7 with a 5.54 ERA in 2014 with Daytona, and the Cubs released him. Wang then represented Taiwan in the 2014 Asian Games, but he didn't get any outs against South Korea, and he allowed 5 runs included a 3-run homer from Jung-Ho Kang. He announced that he would join the CPBL after the 2014 season.

The Lamigo Monkeys selected Wang in the 5th round of the 2015 CPBL Draft, but he had a 5.56 ERA in 10 games. He slumped to a 6.16 ERA in 41 games with 10 holds in 2016, and he ranked 4th in holds (8 behind Hung-Cheng Lai). Wang improved to 3.43 ERA in 64 games in 2017, and he notched a league-leading 17 holds. He was 2nd in appearances, 2 behind Keng-Hao Chang. Wang also attended the 2017 CPBL All-Star Game, but he allowed 2 runs in an inning. He pitched 3 shutout innings with a hold in the 2017 Taiwan Series, and the Monkeys beat the CTBC Brothers in 5 games.

Wang slumped to a 7.11 ERA in 28 games in 2018, but he soon bounced back in 2019. He collected 9 holds in 52 appearances, and his ERA was 4.47. Wang ranked 8th in holds (14 behind Tzu-Peng Huang) and 4th in games (13 behind Kai-Wen Cheng). In the 2019 Taiwan Series, he relieved Thomas Dorminy in the 9th inning of Game 1, and he struck out Tzu-Hsien Chan to end that inning. The Monkeys won thanks to Chien-Fu Liao's walk-off hit, and Wang was the winning pitcher. He then pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings to get a save in Game 3, and he recorded another shutout inning in Game 4. The Monkeys beat the Elephants in 5 games, and Wang was named the Outstanding Player of the series (the MVP, the top award, went to Li Lin). he then represented Taiwan in the 2019 Premier 12, and he pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings.

In 2020, Wang notched 10 saves and 9 holds with a 4.40 ERA in 45 games. He was 5th in saves, 13 behind Yun-Wen Chen. Wang struggled in 2021 as his ERA rose to 7.94, and he pitched 13 games for the Monkeys with a 4.50 ERA in 2022. On August 31, the Monkeys traded him with Che-Bin Lin to the Fubon Guardians for Bin Yang and Chin-Hao Yang. Wang only pitched 6 games for the Guardians with a 6.23 ERA, then he was released.

The Wei Chuan Dragons picked him up, and Wang bounced back in 2023. He collected 15 holds and pitched 56 games with a 3.05 ERA. Wang was 7th in holds (11 behind Chun-Wei Wu) and 3rd in appearances (5 behind Wu). In the 2023 Taiwan Series, Wang pitched a shutout inning and got a hold in each of Games 1, 3 and 4. The Dragons beat the Monkeys in 7 games. The TSG Hawks then picked him in the expansion draft.

Wang's repertoire included a fastball (peak 96 mph), curveball, slider, changeup and cutter.

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