Ben Joyce #44

Benjamin Alan Joyce...On Twitter: @benjoyce08...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.”...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 was selected by the Angels in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft...Originally signed by Angels scout Joel Murrie.

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.