Colorado Rockies former first round pick Riley Pint retires

The Colorado Rockies had hopes that Riley Pint would be part of the solution to their ongoing pitching woes. Selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, he was a bit of a project, but his high octane fastball was more than enough to entice the Rockies. He became the first Kansas high schooler taken in the first round of the draft since Brian Holman in 1983.

However, Pint’s career just never took off. It was announced on Tuesday that the former first round pick has retired.

Colorado Rockies former first round pick Riley Pint retires

There was no questioning Pint’s potential. He had been clocked at 102 MPH as a high schooler, with scouts drooling over his potential. With a plus changeup, and a slider and curve that also showed the potential to develop into plus pitches, he was expected to become a frontline starter, with comparisons to Justin Verlander. Those projections, and his pure stuff, made him a consensus top 100 prospect in 2017 and 2018.

Pint also came with some warning signs. He struggled with his command at times, as his delivery and stiff landing led to issues with his ability to control his stuff. The Rockies were unable to iron out those delivery problems as Pint’s control continued to be an issue. He battled injuries throughout his career as well, including forearm issues and a strained oblique that led to further problems with his command.

While a move to the bullpen did lead to some positives, Pint was still unable to harness his stuff, walking ten batters in 10.2 innings this season before walking away. Overall, he posted a 4-20 record with a 5.56 ERA and a 1.788 WHiP over his 166.2 innings, striking out 163 batters with 134 walks as he failed to advance beyond High-A. That hoped for development just never happened.

Interestingly, this is the second high school pitcher that the Rockies selected in the first round of the draft to retire this year. Mike Nikorak, the 27th overall selection of the 2015 MLB Draft, retired after two serious elbow injuries. The door is potentially open for Pint to return should he want to as the Rockies said that they will work to continue to support him.

Former Colorado Rockies first round pick Riley Pint is walking away from baseball. Injuries and his command woes torpedoed his career before it could really get going.