Taipei: The Fubon Guardians have made a historic move by signing their top draft pick, Chen Po-kai, to a record NT$6.5 million (US$203,960) signing bonus. This landmark agreement marks the highest signing bonus ever awarded in Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).According to Focus Taiwan, the 18-year-old shortstop has committed to a 2.5-year contract with the Guardians. The deal includes a NT$1 million training allowance and potential performance incentives amounting to NT$1 million, raising the contract's total value to NT$8.5 million. This signing surpasses the previous CPBL record for an amateur draft pick, which was set in 2002 when the Sinon Bulls offered NT$6 million to pitcher Tsai Chung-nan.Chen, who graduated from Taoyuan Municipal Daxi Senior High School, was chosen as the first overall pick in the CPBL draft by the Guardians on June 29. He is the fifth high school player to earn this distinction in the league's history. Along with Chen, eight other Guardians draft picks have fi nalized agreements with the team before the CPBL's August 31 signing deadline.In joining the Guardians, Chen will team up with his older brother, pitcher Chen Pin-hong. Expressing gratitude, Chen stated, "Thank you to the Fubon Guardians for valuing me. They were proactive in discussing the contract with me after the draft and showed tremendous confidence in me." Acknowledging the responsibility that accompanies such recognition, he added, "I will work hard to prove myself step by step through my performance on the field."The Guardians expressed their hope that Chen's record-breaking contract would serve as motivation for him to develop further, adapt to the professional demands, and eventually become a key player for the team. Currently, Chen is training with Taiwan's national team for the BFA XIV U18 Asian Baseball Championship, scheduled to take place in Taipei from September 7-13. He will join the Guardians following the tournament.