Pitching in Major League Baseball can be like a chess match. Needing to find the perfect pitch for each batter and situation. However, sometimes, just throwing an absolute heater can get the job done. Something Angel’s rookie Ben Joyce is very good at.
In the top of the ninth inning, Joyce broke history by throwing the fastest strikeout pitch in MLB history against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The pitch came in at 105.5 mph.
“I looked up right after and saw it,” Joyce said. “It was just a big-time game and all the fans were into it. So I feel like that helped a little bit. It was two strikes, so I kind of just tried to give everything I had.”
That kind of speed is likely to get past any batter in the league, and Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe can attest to that. “I think 105, any harder than that, good luck to anyone in that ball’s direction,” said O’Hoppe. “It’s pretty cool but is also a testament of the work he puts in and the kind of human he is, too.”
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Even social media couldn’t believe Joyce’s pitch.
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“I can’t even imagine trying to hit that,” one comment said.
“105.5 mph is impressive! How do you hit that?” said another.
“That’s insane, just dotted the inside corner at 105,” a third continued.
If you’re a hitter right now, seeing Ben Joyce come into the game has to be one of the worst feelings.
Ben Joyce Is Putting Together A Great Rookie Season
Along with breaking that record, Joyce has put together an amazing rookie season.
Through 34.2 innings, he’s put together a 2.08 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 1.145 WHIP, a 208 ERA, and even four saves. He’s easily been one of the most consistent and reliable relief pitchers in baseball and is currently just 23 years old.
If he continues at this pace, Joyce will become a major asset for the Angels in the future.
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