MLB Draft 2016: Riley Pint wants to sign with the Colorado Rockies

Riley Pint held a conference call with the media shortly after being drafted by the Colorado Rockies. He revealed some of his feelings about being drafted, as well as how he sees himself as a pitcher.

Perhaps most important for Rockies fans, Pint was asked about his commitment to LSU, and whether or not that would affect his decision to sign with the Rockies. Pint’s reply was encouraging:

Right now I feel like the Rockies believe in me, they picked me with No.4 so I feel like you gotta do what your heart says and right now it’s just saying to sign with them right now.

While he didn't come out and say he intends to sign with the Rockies rather than pursue his college commitment, it sounds like his intention is to accept the substantial signing bonus the Rockies are most certainly going to offer him.

Asked whether or not he was expecting the Rockies to pick him, Pint stated:

I wasn’t really sure because I let my dad and my advisor do all that for me. I didn’t want to deal with that, I mean I was still playing high school at the time, so I didn’t want to deal with that at the moment. So I let them handle all that and I really didn’t end up knowing until five minutes before the draft started that I was in that discussion. Thankfully it worked out well and I’m glad to be a Rockie now.

Pint was asked about his experience pitching in Colorado, as he’s from neighboring state Kansas. He said that the last time he pitched in Colorado was when he was 10 or 11. He was also asked to update his size and weight. Previously, he was reported to be 6’4" and 195 pounds. Now, according to Pint, he’s 6’5" and 210-215 pounds.

One part of the discussion should get Rockies fans excited. Pint clarified that he throws five different pitches. He throws four- and two-seam fastballs, a circle changeup, a traditional 12-6 curveball, and a knuckle curveball/slider. It’s the repertoire of a starting pitcher. Additionally, when asked about his confidence in those pitches, Pint responded with an awareness of his current strengths and weaknesses:

I think right now my changeup and my knuckle curve are my most developed offspeed pitches that I have right now. My traditional curveball that I just started throwing this year is still a work in progress, but I like the way it’s came along so far this year and it’s looking pretty good for me right now and I’m really happy about that.

Finally, while Pint is known for lighting up the radar gun with his triple-digit fastball, he doesn’t think of himself as just a guy who throws really hard. He showed maturity when asked about it:

I think that’s probably one of the most things I’m asked, "how hard do you throw?" I really just go out there and try to pitch. I’m not trying to go out there and light up radar guns or anything. I’m just going out there, pitching my game and trying to get hitters out.

In other words, he thinks of himself as a pitcher.

Overall, Pint sounded excited to be joining the Rockies and is looking forward to developing with Colorado.

So are we.