Ben Joyce, a 24-year-old rookie pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, is on a quest to shatter records with his blistering fastball. After touching 105.5 mph last season, the third-fastest pitch ever recorded, Joyce believes he can push the boundaries even further.
From Scrawny Teenager to Flamethrower
Joyce’s journey to becoming baseball’s hardest thrower was an improbable one. As a scrawny 5-foot-4, 120-pound teenager at Farragut High School in Knoxville, he was an afterthought on the team. His high school coach Matt Buckner admitted, ‘They were so tiny. And to be honest, they weren’t very good.’ Yet, Joyce’s relentless work ethic set him apart. After a growth spurt in his senior year, he touched 90 mph but developed growth plate issues, deterring colleges. Undeterred, Joyce attended Walters State Community College, where he missed his freshman year due to injury but focused on getting stronger. He grew another two inches to 6-foot-5 and hit 100 mph for the first time as a sophomore, igniting his meteoric rise.
Overcoming Injuries and Doubters
At the University of Tennessee, Joyce underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 but returned in 2022, flashing eye-popping velocity. Despite his electric arm, concerns about his durability caused him to slide to the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft before the Angels selected him 89th overall. In the minors, Joyce struggled with command at Double-A Rocket City in 2023, walking 14 in 17 2/3 innings. He also had a rocky start in the Majors, posting a 5.40 ERA with nine walks in 10 innings. The Angels tried creative methods, like a ‘chaos’ drill, to prepare him for the backend of a bullpen.
Mastering Control with a Mentor’s Guidance
A pivotal moment came when veteran Hunter Strickland taught Joyce a new grip for a ‘splinker’ or two-seamer, which allowed him to get quick outs via grounders. From June onwards, Joyce posted a 0.83 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 13 walks in 32 2/3 innings, picking up four saves. His newfound command and dominance solidified his role as a potential closer. Manager Ron Washington said, ‘I’m comfortable if we have to go into the season with Ben Joyce as the closer,’ though they need to monitor his workload.
Preparing for the Closer Role in 2025
Joyce worked tirelessly in the offseason at Maven Baseball Lab in Atlanta to prepare for a full 2025 season, taking a month off before resuming his throwing program in November. His catcher Logan O’Hoppe jokingly said, ‘Knowing Joycey, I don’t think he’s going to stop until he hits 150 mph.’ Joyce himself believes he can surpass his record-breaking 105.5 mph fastball, stating, ‘I definitely do, because I push myself physically every day to get the most out of it. If I didn’t try, I think it would be doing myself and other people a disservice.’ As the Angels gear up for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on the rookie fireballer, eagerly anticipating his next jaw-dropping feat.
