Los Angeles Angels pick Tennessee baseball's Ben Joyce in 2022 MLB Draft
Ben Joyce went from relative unknown to high MLB Draft pick in a few months with his record-setting fastballs.
The Tennessee baseball product, who threw a 105.5 mph fastball this season, was picked by the Los Angeles Angels in the third round (No. 89 overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft on Monday.
Joyce's 105.5 mph fastball, which he threw against Auburn on May 1, is believed to be the hardest-thrown pitch in college baseball history. It would have registered as the second-fastest pitch in Major League Baseball history, according to UT. Aroldis Chapman threw 105.8 mph pitch for the Cincinnati Reds against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 24, 2010.
The Farragut High School product hit 100 mph in his UT debut against Georgia Southern on Feb. 20. He threw 103.5 mph days later against UNC Asheville, the start of his national acclaim.
Joyce's velocity reached its peak against Auburn, in which he threw 28 of 33 fastballs faster than 103 mph. He threw 15 of at least 104 mph and three of 105 mph or more in four scoreless innings of one-hit baseball.
RELATED: Tennessee baseball has two first-round picks for first time since 2007
VOLS BASEBALL DRAFT TRACKER: Which UT Vols have been picked?
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Joyce had a 2.23 ERA in 32⅓ innings across 27 appearances, including a start against Georgia on May 14. He struck out 53.
Joyce signed with Tennessee out of Walters State and joined the Vols in 2020. He had Tommy John surgery in fall 2020 and missed the 2021 season.
His twin brother, Zach Joyce, also signed with the Vols out of Walters State. Zach Joyce is rejoining Tennessee for the 2023 season after stepping away from baseball in fall 2020 amid mental health battles and after having Tommy John surgery.
This story will be updated.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball's Ben Joyce to Los Angeles Angels in MLB Draft 2022
