Reflecting a fresh approach to extend their scouting operations into the Pacific Rim, the Royals have signed Kaito Yuki, a 16-year-old pitcher from Japan who is believed to be the youngest player from his country to sign with a major-league club.
Yuki is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-hander from Tondabayashi City in Osaka Prefecture who recently graduated from junior high school. He popped onto the Royals’ radar in recents months, following the additions of Pacific Rim coordinator Phil Dale and Japan scout Hiro Oya to the club’s staff.
Scouts have drawn comparisons between Yuki and Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish, according to a report from a Japanese outlet published early Sunday that referred to Yuki as “Darvish II.