There are fast fastballs and then there's Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ben Joyce's fastball. Joyce, who already threw the fastest pitch of the year during an outing against the Seattle Mariners in July, and then topped his own mark when he fired a 104.7 mph heater to New York Mets slugger J.D. Martinez earlier in August, lit up the radar gun once again during the Angels' 9-5 win over the Royals.
Joyce, who entered the game in a non-save situation in the bottom of the ninth inning, struck out Royals outfielder MJ Melendez and got infielder Michael Massey to ground out to second, bringing up American League MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr.
Joyce proceeded to blow away Witt, striking him out with three straight pitches that were clocked over 103 mph, including two at 105 mph.
Ben Joyce: 105mph, 105mph and 103mph. 😳 pic.twitter.com/mr1a154EVd
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 21, 2024
MLB fans were in awe.
I thought for sure 106 was coming
— 𝔹𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕠𝕟 𝕊𝕞𝕚𝕥𝕙 (@TheMagnusPI) August 21, 2024
As a baseball noob I'll never comprehend how the human arm can survive throwing this fast, just crazy stuff from pitcher. Gotta be doing insane work outs.
— Herms (@JoeBurrowStan) August 21, 2024
Not many pitchers have a fastball that looks like it's moving at a different frame rate lol
— Voided (@LeslieJacoby2) August 21, 2024
I guess when you’re sitting on 105, 103 counts as off-speed.
— Jack Mitchell (@JackGMitchell) August 21, 2024
Joyce did this against one of the best hitters in MLB right now in Witt, who, if not for Aaron Judge's incredible season, would be the frontrunner for the AL MVP.
Joyce has notched a pair of saves, a 2.54 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings pitched this season.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Angels Pitcher Had MLB Fans in Awe With Nastiest Strikeout of MLB Season.
