He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.

Listed at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) and 155 pounds (70 kg), Lin bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

[1] For his efforts, Lin was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, best hitter, and to the All-Tournament Team as a third baseman.

[5][6] In the 2011 World Youth Baseball Championship,[clarification needed] Lin was named best outfielder of the tournament as he played mostly in left field.

[1] Lin spent the 2012 season with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox, batting .255 with no home runs and 16 RBIs in 29 games.

During 2015, Lin split time between the Class A-Advanced Salem Red Sox and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, playing in a total of 119 games while batting .251 with two home runs and 48 RBIs.

On July 20, Lin was optioned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox after Brock Holt returned from injury.

[23] He hit his first major league home run on September 21, against right-handed reliever Dan Otero of the Cleveland Indians,[24] he became the third Taiwanese player homered in MLB history.

[25] Lin was not included on Boston's postseason roster, as the team went on to win the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

[28] Lin was recalled to Boston on April 19 along with Michael Chavis, as both Pedroia and Eduardo Núñez were placed on the injured list.

On May 3, Lin was removed from a game against the Chicago White Sox after spraining his left knee while sliding into second base;[32] he was placed on the injured list the next day.

[39] On December 3, 2020, Lin signed a minor-league contract with invitation to spring training with the Minnesota Twins organization.

[46] On August 16, 2022, Lin signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

[51] On August 16, Lin and the Monkeys agreed to a contract worth NT$31 million over two years and four months.

[52] Lin, a native of Namasia District, Kaohsiung, is of Taiwanese Aboriginal tribe Bunun descent.