In a nail-biting game on Tuesday evening, Los Angeles Angels Reliever Ben Joyce set his name in the annals of baseball history with his astonishing pitch. Known for his scorching fastball, Joyce launched a 105.5 mph heater that struck out Tommy Edman from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning. The pitch is now considered the fastest strikeout pitch in the pitch-tracking era and the third fastest pitch ever documented.
Ben Joyce’s Historic Performance
The game was tied, adding even more energy to a tense moment like that. The 23-year-old right-hander fired the fastball past Tommy Edman to end the inning and show just how incredibly powerful he is. After the game, Joyce reflected on the moment, noting that the energy of the fans and the importance of the game spurred him on.
Before Ben Joyce’s record, the fastest strikeout pitch was thrown by Aroldis Chapman, who hit 104.7 mph last month. However, Joyce’s 105.5 mph pitch now takes over that record. Here’s how the fastest pitches in the pitch-tracking era stack up:
1. Aroldis Chapman: 105.8 mph on Sept. 24, 2010
2. Aroldis Chapman: 105.7 mph on July 18, 2016
3. Ben Joyce: 105.5 mph on Sept. 3, 2024
4. Aroldis Chapman: 105.4 mph on July 18, 2016
5. Aroldis Chapman: 105.2 mph on July 22, 2016
In the almost two decades since pitch tracking began, just 12 pitches have reached 105 mph. Chapman holds nine of those records, while Joyce and Jordan Hicks each have one. That heater didn’t come out of nowhere. A college stud, Ben Joyce has regularly reached triple digits this season. The right-hander reached 104.8 mph last month and is still averaging an elite 102.1 mph on his heater. Nonetheless, Joyce has fanned only 23.2% of the hitters he’s faced this season, just below average for major league relievers.
Impact on the Angels
While the Los Angeles Angels are having another mediocre season with their ninth consecutive non-winning year, Ben Joyce is one of their few bright spots. The 2022 third-round pick features a strong 2.08 ERA in 34 2/3 innings and has become a trusty late-inning lever in the club’s bullpen. The fans and analysts will be on high alert for his progress as Joyce adds to his momentum. The record-setting performance has shown immense talent but was a building block to a bright future for the young reliever.
In all, Ben Joyce’s 105.5 mph strikeout pitch represents a milestone in the history of baseball. It underlined his great skills and brought one more exciting moment for Angels’ fans in this difficult season. As he continued to develop, the future was bright for Joyce. While he is still developing, the future is very bright for Joyce. A historic pitch set a new standard in the game and showed just how much talent he brings onto the mound.
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