Ben Joyce #44

Benjamin Alan Joyce...On Twitter: @benjoyce08....2023 marks first season as a non-roster invitee to Major League Spring Training....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....Did not pitch during 2021 season while recovering from “Tommy John” surgery....Attended Walters State Community College (Morristown, Tenn.) 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 will pitch his junior season at University of Tennessee in 2023....Originally signed by Angels scout Joel Murrie.

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.