The Kansas City Royals sign a junior high school pitcher from Japan to minor league deal.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kaito Yuki is headed to the Royals organization instead of attending high school in Japan.

The 16-year-old pitcher has agreed to a minor-league contract with a $322,500 signing bonus. He is thought to be the first Japanese junior high school player to sign with a majorleague club.

“I wanted to play in the United States as soon as possible,” Yuki said in statement issued by the Royals.

Yuki is listed at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, and the right-hander’s fastball has been clocked at 88 mph. He was born May 12, 2002.

“My goal is to do well in the majors,” Yuki said at a news conference in his hometown of Osaka. “Not everybody is given that chance, so I want to do my best.”

The Royals are optimistic that after paperwork is completed, Yuki will arrive next month at the team’s spring training complex in Surprise, Ariz., to begin familiarizing himself with the local culture and language.

He would participate in the Royals’ fall instructional league, with the objective of making his pro debut in the minors next year.

“The first thing is for him to build up his body, and then if he stays on course, in five years get an invite to major-league spring training,” said Hiroyuki Oya, a Royals international scout.

Yuki has been compared to Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish, who grew up in the same city.

“I’m anxious, but I am more excited now,” Yuki said.

He garnered the attention of scouts last year while representing Japan in a youth tournament in the U.S.

The Royals have had four Japanese players: pitchers Hideo Nomo, Mac Suzuki and Yasubiko Yubuta and outfielder Nori Aoki.