The San Diego Padres have made a quiet but intriguing roster move, signing former Colorado Rockies first-round pick Riley Pint to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. It is the type of calculated, low-cost gamble the Padres have leaned into as they look to fortify pitching depth with upside rather than certainty.
Once regarded as one of the hardest throwers in amateur baseball, Pint was selected fourth overall by the Rockies in the 2016 MLB Draft. Armed with a triple-digit fastball, he was billed as a future frontline arm. However, his career quickly became defined by control issues rather than velocity. After struggling to harness his stuff, Pint stepped away from baseball in 2021 before mounting a comeback the following year, a return that in itself marked a significant personal milestone.
The Padres’ interest appears rooted in recent progress. At a Driveline Baseball Pro Day showcase, Pint impressed scouts by sitting 95–96 mph with his sinker, touching 97.4 mph on his fastball, and showing improved feel for both a sweepy breaking ball and a slider. Rather than the raw “throw it as hard as possible” profile of his early years, Pint now projects as a more refined power reliever.
His major-league résumé with Colorado remains rough — just five appearances totaling 3⅔ innings, marred by more walks than innings pitched. Still, the Padres are betting that development, structure, and repetition can unlock something more reliable.
If Pint can consistently throw strikes, land his secondary pitches, and repeat his delivery, San Diego may uncover a volatile but potentially impactful middle-relief option. For a team seeking depth without financial risk, it’s a flyer that makes sense — and one that could quietly pay off if everything clicks.
