Ben Joyce Bio
Benjamin Alan Joyce is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on September 17, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Joyce gained national prominence during his college career at the University of Tennessee, where he set the record for the fastest pitch in college baseball history at 105.5 miles per hour. The Los Angeles Angels selected Joyce in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft, and he made his major league debut in 2023. Joyce wears jersey number 44 for the Angels.
Early Life and Background
Joyce grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and attended Farragut High School. He entered high school standing just 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing only 100 pounds, and he did not make the varsity baseball team until his junior year. By that time, he had grown to 6 feet tall. His journey through high school baseball demonstrates his perseverance and dedication to the sport despite early physical limitations.
After graduating from Farragut High School, Joyce enrolled at Walters State Community College, where he played alongside his twin brother Zach. Unfortunately, Joyce missed his entire 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. As a sophomore at Walters State, Joyce posted a 3-1 record with a 4.79 earned run average and 35 strikeouts in over 20 innings pitched.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout performance at Walters State Community College, Joyce and his brother Zach committed to transfer to the University of Tennessee to continue their collegiate baseball careers. Joyce experienced a significant setback when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament during fall practice at Tennessee and subsequently underwent Tommy John surgery. This injury caused him to miss his entire first season with the Volunteers.
In his first healthy season at Tennessee as a redshirt junior, Joyce captured national attention by regularly throwing his fastball over 100 miles per hour, reaching speeds as high as 104 miles per hour. On May 1, 2022, he made history by throwing the fastest recorded pitch in the history of college baseball, a 105.5-mile-per-hour fastball. Joyce finished that remarkable season with a 2.23 earned run average and 53 strikeouts in just over 32 innings pitched across 27 appearances.
Ben Joyce Career
Professional Debut (2022–2023)
The Los Angeles Angels selected Joyce in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft. He signed with the Angels on July 22, 2022, and received a $1 million signing bonus. Joyce was assigned to the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas to begin his professional career. In his first professional game, Joyce struggled somewhat, giving up four hits and two earned runs with one strikeout in one inning of relief pitching. He finished his inaugural professional season with a 1-0 record, a 2.08 earned run average, 20 strikeouts, and one save in 13 appearances.
Prior to the 2023 season, the Angels invited Joyce to spring training as a non-roster invitee. With the Trash Pandas, he registered a 4.60 earned run average with 24 strikeouts and four saves in 15 and two-thirds innings pitched across 14 appearances. On May 28, 2023, Joyce was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his major league debut the following day against the Chicago White Sox, recording a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts.
Los Angeles Angels Breakthrough (2024)
Joyce began the 2024 season with the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas after being optioned to the minor leagues. On June 2, 2024, the Angels recalled Joyce to the major league roster. His breakthrough moment came on August 3, 2024, during a game against the New York Mets, when Joyce struck out J.D. Martinez on a 104.7-mile-per-hour fastball to record his first career save. This pitch was the fastest strikeout pitch thrown in MLB since at least 2008 and ranked as the sixth-fastest pitch thrown since 2009. On September 3, 2024, Joyce struck out Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Tommy Edman on a 105.5-mile-per-hour fastball, matching the speed of his legendary college pitch.
Joyce was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 10, 2024, with the Angels announcing he would be shut down for the remainder of the 2024 season. He finished the year with an impressive 2-0 record and four saves along with a 2.08 earned run average and 33 strikeouts in 34 and two-thirds innings pitched.
Injury and Recovery (2025–Present)
Joyce made five appearances for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025, posting a 1-0 record with a 6.23 earned run average and one strikeout across four and one-third innings pitched. On May 14, 2025, it was announced that Joyce had undergone season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. He began the 2026 season on the injured list as he continued his recovery from the procedure. On May 16, 2026, Joyce was transferred to the 60-day injured list due to minor shoulder discomfort experienced during his rehabilitation program.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Joyce is renowned for his exceptional fastball velocity, which has become his signature weapon throughout his baseball career. His ability to consistently throw pitches exceeding 100 miles per hour sets him apart as a relief pitcher. His combination of elite velocity and late-inning composure has made him a valuable asset for the Angels bullpen when healthy. Joyce’s pitching arsenal centers around his overpowering fastball, which has generated strikeouts at an impressive rate throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Joyce’s career has been defined by record-setting velocity milestones. His 105.5-mile-per-hour pitch at Tennessee in 2022 remains the fastest recorded in college baseball history. In the major leagues, his 104.7-mile-per-hour strikeout pitch against the New York Mets in August 2024 marked the fastest strikeout pitch in MLB since tracking began. These accomplishments highlight his exceptional physical gifts and position him as one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in professional baseball.
Ben Joyce Career Wins
Through the 2025 season, Joyce has compiled a professional record that reflects his potential as a power reliever. His major league statistics include four wins against one loss with a 3.12 earned run average and 44 strikeouts across his appearances. At his best in 2024, Joyce demonstrated the ability to close out games with dominance, recording four saves while maintaining a sub-2.20 earned run average.
Los Angeles Angels Highlights
Joyce’s most productive major league season came in 2024, when he went 2-0 with four saves and a 2.08 earned run average. His first career save on August 3, 2024, against the New York Mets proved to be a statement performance, featuring a 104.7-mile-per-hour strikeout pitch. The following month, he matched his college record velocity with a 105.5-mile-per-hour strikeout against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Joyce combined his 2024 efforts with his brief 2023 debut and 2025 appearances to build a career record of 4-1 across his MLB appearances.
Minor League Performance
Prior to establishing himself in the major leagues, Joyce demonstrated promise during his time with the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. In his first professional season in 2022, he went 1-0 with a 2.08 earned run average, 20 strikeouts, and one save in 13 appearances. His 2023 minor league performance included a 4.60 earned run average with four saves in 14 appearances before his promotion to the majors.
| Level | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2023–2025) | 4 | 1 | 3.12 | 44 | 4 |
| Double-A (2022–2024) | 3 | 0 | 3.19 | 77 | 5 |
Ben Joyce Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Joyce comes from a baseball family with strong athletic connections. His twin brother, Zach Joyce, followed a similar baseball path throughout their young careers. The brothers played together at both Walters State Community College and the University of Tennessee, demonstrating their ability to compete at high levels alongside one another.
Personal Life
Ben Joyce and his twin brother Zach have shared a unique baseball journey from their hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, through the college ranks and into professional baseball. Zach Joyce was also selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2023 MLB draft, going in the 14th round. Both brothers now pursue their professional careers within the same organization, continuing a family tradition of athletic achievement.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging chapter in Ben Joyce’s young professional career. After making five relief appearances for the Los Angeles Angels, posting a 1-0 record with a 6.23 earned run average, Joyce’s season came to an abrupt end. On May 14, 2025, the Angels announced that Joyce had undergone season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. The injury forced him to the injured list for an extended period, preventing him from building on his successful 2024 campaign.
Despite the setback, Joyce demonstrated flashes of his abilities in his limited appearances before the injury. His recovery and rehabilitation became the primary focus as he worked to return to the high level of performance that characterized his 2024 season. The shoulder surgery marked the latest chapter in a career that has included multiple injury challenges, including the Tommy John surgery he underwent during his college career at Tennessee.
The Angels organization expressed confidence in Joyce’s long-term potential as he progressed through his recovery. His ability to overcome previous injuries and reach elite velocity levels provides optimism for his future contributions to the Angels bullpen once he returns to full health.