Current:Home > NewsAngels’ Ben Joyce throws a 105.5 mph fastball, 3rd-fastest pitch in the majors since at least 2008 -Blueprint Money Mastery
Angels’ Ben Joyce throws a 105.5 mph fastball, 3rd-fastest pitch in the majors since at least 2008
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:28:46
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie reliever Ben Joyce threw a 105.5 mph fastball on Tuesday night that was the fastest pitch in the majors this season and the third-fastest in the pitch-tracking era since 2008.
Joyce’s blazing fastball struck out Tommy Edman to end the Los Angeles Dodgers’ half of the ninth inning with the fastest pitch thrown for a strikeout in the pitch-tracking era. The hard-throwing Joyce also threw a 105.5 mph pitch in college at Tennessee, but his fastest pitch in the majors had been a 104.5 mph fastball.
Aroldis Chapman threw a 105.8 mph fastball in September 2010 and a 105.7 mph pitch in July 2016. Only Chapman and Jordan Hicks had touched 105 mph in a major league game during the pitch-tracking era before Joyce joined them, according to Statcast.
Joyce said he had a little extra oomph from the bipartisan sellout crowd attending the Angels’ 6-2 loss to the Dodgers. He also threw fastballs clocked at 104.4, 104.0, 103.6 and 103.0 mph — three of them to Will Smith, who struck out on four pitches — during his blazing ninth inning.
“Just a big-time game,” Joyce said. “A lot of fans were all into it, so I feel like that kind of helped a little bit. ... You could feel it the whole time. The stadium was almost shaking at times. It was a cool environment, for sure.”
Joyce’s 1-2-3 ninth kept the game tied 2-2 before the Dodgers rallied to win in the 10th against reliever Roansy Contreras.
This story is featured in our One Notable Number series, which spotlights the key numbers leading our coverage.
Take a look at more Notable Numbers here.
You can also read more ONEs:
- One Extraordinary Photo
- One Must Read
- One Tech Tip
“It was two strikes, (so) I just tried to give it everything I had,” Joyce said of his 105.5 mph pitch. “I didn’t really notice the difference (compared to other fastballs). I thought I threw a few other ones harder, to be honest, so it was kind of surprising to see that (on the scoreboard).”
Joyce smiled to himself after seeing the speed on the scoreboard while leaving the mound.
“Oh my goodness,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I’m just happy that I was 90 feet away from the batter’s box. That’s uncomfortable.”
Only Chapman, Hicks and Jhoan Duran had thrown pitches recorded at 104.5 mph or faster in this era before they were joined this season by Joyce, who pitched 10 innings for the Angels in 2023. He has been excellent in his second season in the majors, posting a 2.08 ERA in 31 appearances.
And even after his latest triple-digit feat, Joyce believes he has more speed in his future.
“I would like to think I could throw a little harder,” Joyce said with a grin.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
veryGood! (959)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Welcome to Mexican “muerteadas,” a traditional parade to portray how death can be as joyful as life
- Appeals courts temporarily lifts Trump’s gag order as he fights the restrictions on his speech
- The Trump-DeSantis rivalry grows more personal and crude as the GOP candidates head to Florida
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Man who blamed cancer on Monsanto weedkiller awarded $332 million
- Troops kill 3 militants, foiling attack on an airbase in Punjab province, Pakistani military says
- Maleesa Mooney Case: Autopsy Reveals Model Was Not Pregnant at Time of Death
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Texas man convicted of manslaughter in driveway slaying that killed Moroccan immigrant
Ranking
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Texas man convicted of manslaughter in driveway slaying that killed Moroccan immigrant
- Puerto Rican ex-boxer Félix Verdejo sentenced to life in prison in the killing of his pregnant lover
- Deshaun Watson scheduled to start for Browns at quarterback against Cardinals
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Purdue coach Ryan Walters on Michigan football scandal: 'They aren't allegations'
- UN officials says the average Gazan is living on two pieces of bread a day, and people need water
- A fire at a drug rehabilitation center in Iran kills 27 people, injures 17 others, state media say
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
We tune into reality TV to see well, reality. But do the stars owe us every detail?
Michigan man sentenced to decades in prison after pleading no contest in his parents’ 2021 slayings
Jury to decide fate of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried as deliberations begin
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
I spent two hours floating naked in a dark chamber for my mental health. Did it work?
We asked Hollywood actors and writers to imagine the strikes on screen
NFL Week 9 picks: Will Dolphins or Chiefs triumph in battle of AFC's best?