SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners Thursday signed pitcher Kyle Duke, the club's fourth-round draft pick, to a one-year contract for the 1990 season.
The lefthander was ranked as the 42nd top prospect in this year's draft by Baseball America prior to the June draft.
Director of Scouting Roger Jongewaard said the signing brought to eight the number of draftees signed by the club. Three remain unsigned, he said.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Duke is a native of Carollton, Texas, where he attended Newman Smith High School. During his senior year, he posted an 11-1 record with a 1.26 ERA in 12 games, striking out 132 batters in 72 innings pitched. He allowed just 37 hits and 34 walks.
Duke had signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Texas on a full scholarship next year.
Duke, who just completed playing Connie Mack and Palomino baseball in Texas this summer, has been invited to play for the Mariners' entry in the Arizona Instructional League this September, Jongewaard said.
