Mariners sign top pick

SEATTLE – The Mariners have signed hard-throwing teenager Taijuan (TUH’-juan) Walker, giving their top draft pick an $800,000 signing bonus.

Walker, a 17-year-old right-hander from Southern California’s Yucaipa High School, went 43rd overall in this month’s draft.

After agreeing to the deal, Walker threw a bullpen session in front of Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu and Seattle’s top major league executives.

Walker called the day “a dream come true.” He also was excited about his hotel room in downtown Seattle, which was upgraded to a suite by the Mariners. He texted pictures of it to his mother, Nellie, on Thursday night.