Benjamin Alan Joyce Bio
Benjamin Alan Joyce is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at the University of Tennessee, where he gained acclaim for throwing the fastest pitch in college baseball history at 105.5 miles per hour (169.8 km/h). Joyce was selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Alan Joyce was born on September 17, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He attended Farragut High School, where he initially struggled to make the varsity baseball team, not earning a spot until his junior year. During this time, he experienced significant growth, reaching a height of 6 feet by the time he joined the team. After high school, Joyce enrolled at Walters State Community College, where he played alongside his twin brother, Zach. Unfortunately, he missed his freshman season due to a stress fracture in his elbow. By the end of that year, he had grown to 6 feet 5 inches tall. Joyce’s sophomore year saw him pitching 20+2/3 innings with a record of 3–1 and a 4.79 earned run average (ERA). He and his brother later transferred to the University of Tennessee to continue their baseball careers. However, Joyce faced another setback when he tore his ulnar collateral ligament during fall practice, requiring Tommy John surgery and causing him to miss his first season at Tennessee.
Path to Baseball
After recovering from surgery, Joyce returned to the field as a redshirt junior at the University of Tennessee. He quickly gained national attention for his impressive fastball, regularly throwing over 100 miles per hour. On May 1, 2022, he made headlines by throwing the fastest recorded pitch in college baseball history, clocking in at 105.5 miles per hour. Joyce finished his college season with a remarkable 2.23 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 32+1/3 innings pitched over 27 appearances. His performance caught the attention of Major League scouts, leading to his selection by the Los Angeles Angels in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft.
Benjamin Alan Joyce Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
After being drafted, Joyce signed with the Los Angeles Angels on July 22, 2022, receiving a $1 million signing bonus. He began his professional career with the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. In his first professional game, he faced challenges, giving up four hits and two earned runs in one inning of relief pitching. Despite this, he finished his inaugural season with a record of 1–0, a 2.08 ERA, and 20 strikeouts in 13 appearances. In 2023, Joyce was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. He made 14 appearances during the spring, posting a 4.60 ERA with 24 strikeouts and four saves in 15+2/3 innings pitched. On May 28, 2023, he was promoted to the major leagues and made his debut the following day against the Chicago White Sox, where he pitched a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts.
Breakthrough (2024)
Joyce’s rookie season in the MLB was marked by ups and downs. After five appearances, he was placed on the injured list due to ulnar neuritis but was activated later in the season. In 2024, Joyce was optioned back to Double-A Rocket City to start the season. He was recalled by the Angels on June 2, 2024. On August 3, during a game against the New York Mets, he achieved a significant milestone by striking out J.D. Martinez on a 104.7-mile-per-hour fastball, marking the fastest strike-out pitch in MLB since at least 2008. He continued to impress, striking out Tommy Edman of the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 105.5-mile-per-hour fastball on September 3. Joyce finished the year with a 2-0 record, four saves, and a 2.08 ERA.
Notable Works and Milestones
Joyce’s signature achievement remains his record-setting pitch of 105.5 miles per hour, which has solidified his reputation as one of the most promising young pitchers in baseball. He has also made a name for himself with his ability to strike out batters at an impressive rate, showcasing his potential for a successful career in the MLB.
Benjamin Alan Joyce Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Benjamin Alan Joyce has not yet received any formal award nominations. However, his remarkable achievements in college baseball and his record-setting performances in the MLB have garnered significant attention and praise from fans and analysts alike.
Benjamin Alan Joyce Awards Won
Benjamin Alan Joyce has not yet won any formal awards during his professional baseball career. However, his accomplishments, including the fastest recorded pitch in college baseball history, highlight his potential for future recognition in the sport.
Benjamin Alan Joyce Family
Benjamin Alan Joyce has a twin brother, Zach Joyce, who also played baseball at the University of Tennessee and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2023 MLB draft. The two brothers have shared their baseball journeys, supporting each other through their respective careers.
Personal Life
Details about Benjamin Alan Joyce’s personal life remain limited, as he tends to keep his private life out of the public eye. He has focused primarily on his baseball career and the challenges that come with it. As he continues to develop as a player, more information about his personal life may emerge in the future.