SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners have signed Brandon Morrow,
their first pick and the fifth overall choice in this month's major
league draft.
"Obviously we are very pleased to get Brandon signed," said
the team's vice president of scouting, Bob Fontaine.
The 21-year-old, right-handed starter from the University of
California has had his fastball clocked at 99 mph. He was one of 10
semifinalists for the Roger Clemens Award as the nation's top
collegiate pitcher.
He stands to receive a signing bonus of around $2 million from
the Mariners, if the $2.75 million that fourth-overall choice Brad
Lincoln reportedly received this week from the Pittsburgh Pirates
is any barometer.
The Mariners plan to have the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Morrow start
at Class A Inland Empire in San Bernardino, Calif., soon.