LA Angels Ben Joyce (24) showed amazing performance with an overwhelming fastball.
Joyce appeared in relief against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on the 21st (Korea Standard Time) and recorded two strikeouts and no runs in one inning.
Taking the mound in the ninth inning with the Angels leading 9-5, Joyce threw a sinker of 92.6 miles (149.0 kilometers) per hour on six pitches and struck out MJ Melendez. Then, he threw a sinker of 95.7 miles (154.0 kilometers) on two pitches and grounded out to second.
The final showdown between Joyce and Bobby Witt Jr. was the highlight of the game. Joyce, who swung and missed by hitting a 104.8-mile (168.7km) fastball from the first pitch, put his 104.5-mile (168.2km) four-seam in the middle of the strike zone on the second pitch, and Witt Jr. swung and missed again. Joyce threw the final 103.2 miles (166.1km) four-seam into the middle, and again, Witt Jr.’s bat swung and missed, striking out three to end the game. 메이저놀이터
“Ben Joyce’s strikeout against Witt is the first since the start of pitching tracking (2008). Three pitches, three swings and three swings, and more than 103 miles (165.8 kilometers) in total. Have you ever thrown 103 miles and struck out three? Joyce caught J.D. Martinez (strike, foul, swing) on the 4th, and highlighted his amazing fastball.
Joyce, who is now in his second year in the big league, is expected to be the fastest pitcher since Aroldis Chapman (Pittsburg). He has one win, seven holds, two saves and an ERA of 2.45 in 26 games (29 ⅓ innings) this season, recording the season’s highest speed of 104.8 miles. It is the second fastest ball this season after Chapman’s 105.1 miles (169.1 kilometers) recorded against San Diego on the 8th.
MLB.com said, “It’s almost impossible to make Bobby Witt Jr. look like he’s standing on a rocking plate. He’s been a threat to opposing pitchers throughout the season in terms of hits (177) and batting average (.352). But Ben Joyce had another plan,” admiring Joyce’s fastball game.
Wit Jr. is a superstar shortstop with a batting average of 352 (or 177 hits in 503 times at bat) in 126 games this season, with 25 homers, 92 RBIs, 110 runs, 25 steals, and an OPS of 1.019. He is considered the most promising candidate who can block Aaron Judge from winning the American League MVP award this season. The strikeout rate per batter’s box stands at only 15.1 percent.
Joyce struck out swinging at Witt Jr. by putting his four-seam ball into the strike zone. Witt Jr. swung the bat all three times, but couldn’t even touch the ball. This means that Joyce’s speed and pitch were amazing. “I’m going to be a special player. I’m always talking to him about ways to get better, and he’s looking for ways to use fastballs,” Washington coach Ron said, looking forward to Joyce’s performance.