Former Rox first-round pick unretires

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Riley Pint, a right-handed pitcher whom the Rockies drafted fourth overall in 2016, has returned to the organization after retiring last summer, player development director Chris Forbes said on Friday.

Forbes welcomed Pint back.

“Everybody is on his own time frame. I always love seeing the kid,” Forbes said. “He’s a fantastic kid. I’m glad to see him back.”

Pint, 24, flashed a fastball better than 100 mph as a high schooler at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kan., but was 4-20 with a 5.56 ERA in 68 Minor League games (40 starts) over five seasons. Last summer, he was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 relief appearances at High-A Spokane through early June, when he decided to retire.

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In 2017, at Class A Asheville, Pint dealt with right forearm stiffness, an oblique injury and control issues -- 59 walks and 26 wild pitches in 93 innings. Struggles continued: Pint had 31 walks and 18 wild pitches in 17 2/3 innings in 2019 and then 10 walks and three wild pitches in 10 2/3 innings last season.

But if he finds control, Pint can take advantage of his classic size (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) and above-average fastball velocity.

The Rockies began intake and physicals for Minor League camp on Friday and will have their first workout on Sunday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.