The lure of a 102-mph fastball was too much for the Rockies to ignore with their top pick in the Major League Baseball draft, even if that pitch comes from the tender arm of an 18-year-old high school kid.
The Rockies on Thursday drafted three pitchers within the first 50 picks of the draft, including right-hander Riley Pint, an arm some scouts say is the hardest-throwing prep pick in the draft’s history. That velocity, though, is alarming. But Pint, the Rockies think, is exceptional.
“It’s part of an impressive package,” Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich said. “It’s not a common thing to see someone throw as hard has him in high school.