After being selected in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Knoxville native and former Volunteer Ben Joyce made his Major League Baseball debut on Monday night against the Chicago White Sox.
While pitching for the Angels, Joyce delivered one strong inning of work before Los Angeles decided to bring in a different pitcher for the eighth inning. In his one inning, though, Joyce retired the side, only giving up one hit and striking out two batters.
Joyce threw 12 pitches in the outing on Monday… and 11 of them went for more than 100 MPH on the radar gun. In addition to that, 10 of Joyce’s 12 pitches went for strikes. But even when putting the numbers to the side, Joyce passed the eye test. The Volunteer Fireman, as he was nicknamed in Knoxville, looked like anything but a rookie making his debut while pitching on the road. Joyce had solid command and jaw-dropping movement to his pitches, routinely frustrating the White Sox batters.
Ben Joyce, the @Angels No. 9 prospect, was NASTY in his MLB debut. ⛽ pic.twitter.com/8T7xFNF1Ut
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2023
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Back in Knoxville, the 2023 Tennessee baseball team is getting ready for a big weekend in the Clemson Regional. Head coach Tony Vitello, along with outfielder Jared Dickey and RHP Chase Dollander, met with the media on Tuesday to discuss their thoughts on the tournament ahead.
Each of the three ended their press conference by talking about Ben Joyce’s MLB debut and their reaction to it late on Monday night. Check it all out below.
Tennesee Baseball HC Tony Vitello reacts to Ben Joyce’s MLB debut for the @Angels on Monday night in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/F4eY59MOfS
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) May 30, 2023
Tennesee Baseball’s Chase Dollander and Jared Dickey react to Ben Joyce’s MLB debut for the @Angels on Monday night in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/GookdFxRph
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) May 30, 2023
