TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Seattle Mariners announced Tuesday the signing of 18-year-old Taiwanese pitcher Lin Po-chun (林鉑濬) to a contract worth NT$18 million (US$550,000).

Lin, a hard-throwing right-hander, has a fastball that tops out at 154 kilometers per hour (95 miles per hour). He gained recognition after pitching four and one-third scoreless innings against Japan in the finals of the U18 Asian Baseball Championship, where he was named tournament MVP, per CNA.

A recent graduate of Yingge Vocational High School, Lin initially played as a catcher before transitioning to the mound, where his powerful fastball became his signature weapon. His high school coach noted that Lin primarily focused on pitching in his senior year, demonstrating rapid development in his craft.

Lin becomes the 13th Taiwanese player in Mariners' history and the third graduate from his school to sign a professional contract overseas.

"We have watched Lin Po-chun for a long time. He is a very mature player with a clear mind on the field. His changeup has a large difference in velocity and a late break, which confuses batters," said Seattle Mariners Taiwan scout Chiang Yi-chang (江奕昌).

Chiang expressed confidence in Lin's future, emphasizing that maintaining confidence and further strengthening his already powerful arm will be key to his success in the US.

"I was deeply impressed by the qualities he showed and knew that he would be a great player in the future," said Chiang, adding that he had been aware of Lin's talent since his first year of high school, even before becoming a professional scout.

According to Chiang, several Major League Baseball teams had been tracking Lin’s development for years. "Other scouts have come to watch him play, and they have all been impressed by his skills. His pitching style aligns with our team's philosophy of dominating the strike zone."