Former MLB first-round draft pick suddenly retires at 28

Pitcher Riley Pint, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft, has retired according to his official transactions page.

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The 28-year-old right-hander had been in the San Diego Padres’ minor league spring training camp. A former top-100 prospect in 2017 and 2018, Pint signed a minor league contract with the Padres on February 3. He did not appear in a game this spring.

Armed with a triple-digit fastball that made him a highly coveted prospect in high school, Pint ultimately made just five major league relief appearances, all with the Rockies. He’ll retire with a career ERA of 22.09 and a 0-0 record.

Pint previously announced his retirement once, in June 2021, when he was a 23-year-old at Double-A. But he resurfaced the following year and eventually reached the majors in 2023 with the Rockies. In 2024, he was the 2024 Pitcher of the Year at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Pint’s success was short-lived. He missed all of the 2025 season due to injury after signing a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians.

Pint was one of two Padres minor leaguers who officially retired this week. Pitcher Carter Loewen, who appeared in two spring training games with the Padres, is also hanging up his cleats at age 27.

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