Originally published Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Mariners sign two prospects from Asia

The Mariners have signed an 18-year-old pitcher from Japan and a 17-year-old pitcher from Taiwan to minor-league contracts. Kenta Suda, a right-hander...

By Larry Stone

Seattle Times staff reporter

The Mariners have signed an 18-year-old pitcher from Japan and a 17-year-old pitcher from Taiwan to minor-league contracts.

Kenta Suda, a right-hander from Osaka, Japan, was signed as a non-drafted free agent by Mariners scouts Yasushi Yamamoto, Hide Sueyoshi and Pat Kelly.

In 2007, Suda pitched for the Nomo Baseball Club, a nonprofit amateur team in Sakai, Osaka, established by former major-leaguer Hideo Nomo. He was a member of the Japanese under-18 squad that competed for the IBAF championship in Taiwan last August.

According to one Web site, the 6-foot, 172-pound Suda, who attended high school in Kyoto, throws 95 mph. He is expected to report to the Mariners' extended spring training in Peoria, Ariz., in April.

"Kenta's signing is part of our effort to sign talented players from anywhere we can find them in the world," said Bob Engle, the Mariners' vice president of international operations.

"We think he has a lot of room to improve in an intensive baseball environment. We have signed a few Japanese professional players over the past seven years, but since adding Mr. Yamamoto, we have also tried to focus on the amateur players in Japan."

Kelly, along with Mariners scout Jamey Storvick, signed 17-year-old Yao Wen Chang, a right-hander from Taichung, Taiwan. He will join the team at extended spring training.

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