Vinnie Catricala said he will sign with the Seattle Mariners today and forgo his senior year of eligibility with the Rainbow baseball team.

“;It all happened pretty fast,”; Catricala said. “;Pretty excited to sign.”;

Catricala, drafted as a third baseman in the 10th round (No. 293 overall) of the MLB First-Year Player Draft last week, said he will report to the Pulaski (Va.) Mariners of the rookie Appalachian League.

Catricala, who wouldn't disclose the terms of his contract, said he was very happy with what the Mariners offered.

“;They came back with an offer that I wanted and that was really it,”; he said.

Catricala started all 58 games last year and hit .349 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs. His 13 homers were fourth-most by a UH player in one season and he finished his career tied with Markus Owens for fourth all-time with 20 career bombs.

He started 150 of the 160 games he played during his three seasons at third base and designated hitter.

“;I'm leaving a lot behind,”; Catricala said. “;It was hard saying goodbye, but this is a new chapter in my life and I am excited to start it.”;

The Mariners also signed recent Pearl City graduate Carlton Tanabe on Monday. Tanabe reported to the Mariners' other rookie team in Peoria, Ariz., on Tuesday.

“;I've got to get used to it, way different here,”; said Tanabe, who said the M's agreed to pay for his schooling plus “;a little extra on the side.”;

Tanabe was planning to attend Yavapai (Ariz.) College prior to the draft.

Bryson Namba, Tanabe's teammate at Pearl City, has signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Baseball America.