Benjamin Alan Joyce...On Twitter: @benjoyce08...Represented Angels at a “Rally Readers” event on June 18, 2024 at the Anaheim Public Library - Central Branch, reading books to local children in attendance...At University of Tennessee, completed his bachelor’s degree in Finance in May 2022...Named to 2022 NCBWA All-American 3rd Team and Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll...Nicknamed “The Volunteer Fireman”...Wore orange and white checkerboard cleats featuring the nickname during 2024 Players’ Weekend...Did not pitch during 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery...Attended Walters State Community College (Morristown, TN) from 2019-20 before transferring to University of Tennessee...Graduate of Farragut HS (Knoxville, Tenn.)...Helped lead Admirals to state playoffs as a senior in 2018 and reached 100 MPH with his fastball during high school career...Has an identical twin brother, Zach, who was selected by the Angels in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft...Originally signed by Angels scout Joel Murrie.
2024
In 31 games with Angels, went 2-0 with four saves, a 2.08 ERA (34.2 IP - 8 ER) and 33 strikeouts...Held opponents scoreless in 27 of 31 outings...Held opponents scoreless in 18 straight outings (22.2 IP) from June 14 to Aug. 3...Sixth-longest scoreless streak for a rookie pitcher in franchise history and the longest since a 23.1 IP streak by Matt Shoemaker in 2014...On Sept. 3 vs. Dodgers, pitched a 105.5 MPH fastball to strike out Tommy Edman to end the top of the ninth inning...It was the fastest pitch thrown in the Majors in 2024 and the fastest strikeout pitch in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008)...Eclipsed 100+ MPH with 44.0% (238 of 541) of his pitches, which ranked second in Majors behind Oakland’s Mason Miller (49.8%)...Had 65 pitches at 103+ MPH, accounting for 12% of his overall pitches; all other MLB pitchers combined for 51 total pitches at 103+ MPH, topped by 22 from Aroldis Chapman...Also led MLB with 11 pitches thrown at 104+ MPH; Aroldis Chapman (3) was the only other pitcher to reach 104 MPH...Earned first career save, Aug. 3 vs. Mets, with 1.1 perfect innings...Ended game with a 104.7 MPH strikeout pitch vs. J.D. Martinez...Made first career start on June 16 at San Francisco as Angels opener (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO)...Began season with Double-A Rocket City, and was 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA (19 IP - 9 ER) and 34 strikeouts in 18 appearances, while holding opponents to a .164 (11/67) batting average against.
2023
Contract selected by Angels, May 28...Made Major League debut May 29, 2023 at Chicago (AL)...Went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA (10 IP - 6 ER) with 10 strikeouts in 12 appearances in 2023...Pitched six consecutive scoreless innings from Sept. 10-27 (6 G) after rejoining active roster on Sept. 10...Only surrendered runs in two of 12 outings...Missed 78 games on IL due to ulnar neuritis...Made two appearances on rehab assignment with Low-A Inland Empire...Recorded first Major League win June 7 vs. Chicago (N.L.) in Angel Stadium debut...Recorded first career strikeout on 101.8 MPH pitch vs. Gavin Sheets; second fastest pitch for first career strikeout in the Statcast era (102.4 MPH by Julian Fernandez (COL) on 9/5/21 vs. ATL).
2022
Began year in his redshirt junior season at University of Tennessee...Pitched to a 2.23 ERA (32.1 IP - 8 ER) in 27 appearances for the Vols, who earned the #1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament after winning the SEC regular season and conference tournament championships... Tossed the fastest recorded pitch (105.5 MPH) in college baseball history, May 1 vs. Auburn... Regularly reached 100+ MPH, including 43 pitches at 100+ MPH during NCAA Tournament play (3.2 IP)... Selected by Angels in third round of 2022 First-Year Player Draft and was assigned to Double-A Rocket City... First professional appearance came Aug. 6 for Trash Pandas vs. Tennessee... Pitched exactly 1.0 inning in all 13 games for Rocket City...After allowing two earned runs in his debut appearance, allowed just one more earned run across next 12 contests (0.75 ERA; 12 IP - 1 ER), with 19 strikeouts in that span to finish regular season... Appeared in two postseason games for Trash Pandas during Southern League Division Series vs. Tennessee.
