The Los Angeles Angels might have found their future star closer in rookie sensation Ben Joyce. With his blazing fastball and remarkable poise on the mound, Joyce, who retains his rookie status through 2024, has made a significant impact in his first full season in the majors. His overpowering velocity and ability to handle high-pressure situations have caught the attention of baseball fans and analysts alike.
On Tuesday night, Joyce made history by throwing a jaw-dropping 105.5 mile-per-hour fastball, striking out Tommy Edman in a pivotal moment.
The pitch not only painted the lower inside corner of the strike zone with pinpoint accuracy but also set the record for the fastest strikeout pitch ever recorded in Major League Baseball history, since pitch velocities have been tracked. As Edman swung and missed, Joyce confidently turned around, knowing he had just accomplished something truly special.
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While other pitchers, most notably Aroldis Chapman, have thrown faster pitches in general, Joyce’s 105.5 mph heater holds the distinction of being the fastest pitch ever thrown on a strikeout. This milestone places him in elite company and adds a new chapter to the record books, showing his potential as a future dominant force in the league.
As baseball analyst Sarah Langs noted, Joyce’s accomplishment is particularly significant given that no other pitcher has ever reached such velocity during a strikeout pitch. The combination of speed and precision in this high-stakes moment cements his place among the game’s most promising young talents.
With the season winding down, the Angels have increasingly relied on Joyce in a closing role. Since August 4, the flame-throwing right-hander has finished nine of the team’s last 11 games, securing four saves in the process. His ability to maintain composure and deliver in clutch situations has been invaluable to the Angels’ bullpen, even if the team didn’t come away with the win in Tuesday’s extra-inning loss to the Dodgers. Joyce’s one inning of work kept the score tied, holding the powerful Dodgers lineup scoreless and showcasing his ability to thrive in critical late-game scenarios.
The Angels, who have Joyce under team control until 2030, now see the 22-year-old as a cornerstone of their future. His explosive fastball, combined with his growing experience in high-leverage situations, makes him a key asset for the team’s long-term plans. As Joyce continues to develop, there’s little doubt that he will be one of the premier relievers in baseball, and potentially one of the most feared closers in the game.
Joyce’s rise from rookie prospect to record-breaking closer has been swift and spectacular. As the Angels look ahead to future seasons, it’s clear that Joyce is not just a player to watch but one to build around.
His electrifying talent and competitive drive make him a cornerstone for the franchise as they navigate their path toward success.
