Ben Joyce Blazes Path To Big Leagues
On March 9, 2022, Tennessee pitcher Ben Joyce entered a game against James Madison looking to hold a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. He faced only one batter and walked him on eight pitches, one of which was a wild pitch. Tennessee eventually won the game 10-2. It wasn’t
On March 9, 2022, Tennessee pitcher Ben Joyce entered a game against James Madison looking to hold a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. He faced only one batter and walked him on eight pitches, one of which was a wild pitch. Tennessee eventually won the game 10-2. It wasn’t the outing Joyce was hoping for.
What a difference a year makes.
On March 9, 2023, Joyce took the mound in a Major League game for the Los Angeles Angels, facing Team USA in a World Baseball Classic tune-up. At Tempe Diablo Stadium, Joyce faced Major League stars Kyle Schwarber, Bobby Witt Jr., and Pete Alonso. He threw a scoreless ninth inning, striking out Alonso with a wicked slider to put himself on the radar for a potential Major League roster spot as the season opens in the coming weeks.
“It was a pretty surreal experience, especially seeing their lineup before the game,” Joyce said of Team USA. “Knowing I’d pitch against them was pretty cool. Seeing Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, it was great to know that I’m on the same field as those guys and able to compete with guys I’ve been watching growing up.”
“He doesn’t get ahead of himself. He treats every day as its own entity, like it’s got a life of its own. And good or bad, he’s really good about moving on to the next one,” Trash Pandas Manager Andy Schatzley said of Joyce. “He’s done a great job of not getting ahead of himself, giving each day the focus that it deserves and because of that the progress has been very consistent.”
For Joyce, that was a recent chapter in an incredible journey that has led him from Knoxville to the cusp of the Angels roster, with a debut stop in Rocket City in between as he begins his professional baseball career.
Already, he can already boast about accomplishing a feat few in the history have baseball have done before him.
While pitching for Tennessee on May 1, 2022, Joyce reached back and threw a fastball 105.5 miles per hour against Auburn. That put him among the fastest recorded pitches the game has ever seen with Aroldis Chapman, Nolan Ryan, Justin Verlander, and Bob Feller.
Ben Joyce's 105.5 MPH Fastball. pic.twitter.com/4a2R8iMw1A
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2022
While the pitch against Auburn was a little faster than Joyce’s season average, he consistently reached triple digits in his final collegiate season. The feeling that created was a joy for both Joyce and those watching in the stands.
“It’s a huge adrenaline rush for me. Especially when the radar gun reading is on the scoreboard and the crowd gets into it,” Joyce said. “I’m seeing the hard work and the results paying off with the velocity on my fastball. The reaction from everyone, getting to see that number that day in Tennessee was crazy.”
As his fastball velocity rose, so did his draft stock. The Los Angeles Angels came calling on the second day of the draft, picking him in the third round with the 89th overall selection. Joyce remembered that the Angels were one of many teams that reached out leading up to the draft, but he was still surprised when they picked him.
The surprises kept coming from there, as he soon learned he would make the jump straight to Double-A to make his professional debut for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, not too far from his childhood home in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“It was exciting to hear that I was going to start in Double-A,” he said. “Getting to start back up after a great college season and go to a team that was playing winning baseball, it was great to start my career there.”
His professional debut at Toyota Field on August 2 against his hometown Tennessee Smokies doesn’t look pretty on the box score, as he allowed two runs on four hits in one inning of work. It wasn’t because of a lack of velocity, as a couple broken bat hits spoiled his outing. They didn’t spoil his spirit since he had to get back to work quickly.
“The welcome to professional baseball moment was my first outing. I gave up three broken bat singles, allowed a few runs, and couldn’t get any luck there,” he recalled. “Then I got back to the dugout and was told to get ready to do it again in two days. It shows you how quick of a turnaround there is in professional baseball.”
With his debut behind him, Joyce flourished in the remainder of the regular season. He did not allow an earned run over his next nine outings, including his first professional victory on August 20 vs. Chattanooga and his first save five days later at Smokies Stadium in Knoxville. With the Trash Pandas, Joyce’s fastball reached as high as 103 miles per hour, impressing his teammates in the process.
“I’m much happier that I have a glove in my hand and not a bat when he’s on the mound,” catcher Logan O’Hoppe said. “He’s a big guy so it’s a different look when he’s coming down the mound.”
During the regular season, 10 of Joyce’s outings for the playoff-bound Trash Pandas were scoreless. However, when the Trash Pandas met the Smokies in the postseason, Joyce struggled, allowing four runs on a pair of home runs over two games as Rocket City was defeated in a tightly-contested three-game series. The disappointing feeling left by the end of an otherwise stellar season now motivates Joyce as he begins his first full season.
“It didn’t go our way. I definitely could have pitched better,” he said. “It just didn’t go our way. It leaves an unfinished business taste. You never want to lose, especially in an environment like that.”
Since then, the environment has changed for Joyce. His strong performance with the Trash Pandas helped him earn a spot as the Angels No. 12 prospect according to MLB.com entering the 2023 season. Now, he’s competing for a spot in the Los Angeles bullpen at Major League spring training, a far cry from less than a year ago when he was still in college.
The environment of walking into a Major League clubhouse for the first time was an exhilarating one for Joyce. He’s taking it all in stride with his big league dream now within reach.
“It’s been a super cool experience getting to pick the brains of all these guys that have been in the league for so long,” he said. “Getting to work with them every day, get better, and face big league hitters that I’ve watched growing up has been great.”
So far this spring, Joyce has yet to give up a run over six outings between the Cactus League and the exhibition against Team USA, striking out eight over five innings. The key to the success has been simple.
“I’m trying to treat every pitch like it’s my last pitch right now. That’s helped me a lot, staying grounded, staying in the moment, and helped me have success so far this spring,” he said. “Staying true to myself, not trying to do anything different than I’ve been doing the last year, two years of playing baseball. Just staying true to the hard work I’ve been doing, taking it one pitch at a time.”
Tonight's Game Has Been Suspended
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - Tonight's game between the Iowa Cubs and Indianapolis Indians has been suspended due to heavy rain in the area. Play will resume at 4:00 p.m. CDT/5:00 p.m. EDT as the game is tied 3-3 heading into the top of the 10th inning. Game five will be slated
Caissie, Long lead Iowa to Split Doubleheader Against Indy
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - The Iowa Cubs split today’s doubleheader against the Indianapolis Indians as the home team took the first game 7-6, but Iowa followed with a dominant game two victory 6-1 as the series leans towards Iowa two games to one. GAME 1: FINAL/8 - INDIANAPOLIS 7, IOWA 6
APRIL 2 GAME POSTPONED
Tonight’s game between the Iowa Cubs and Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field has been postponed due to forecasted severe weather this evening. The two teams will make up the game with a split doubleheader tomorrow with game one scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CST and game two scheduled for 5:35 p.m.
Two-Run Ninth Leads Iowa Past Indy 2-1
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - The Iowa Cubs answered late in the ninth inning in the first game of the six-game set and beat the Indianapolis Indians 2-1 at Victory Field. Indianapolis scored in the bottom of the third inning off Chris Flexen for a 1-0 lead. The I-Cubs were held scoreless
Fall Out Boy And More Hit A Grand Slam With Official League's MiLB Local Legends Capsule Collection
Exclusive Apparel Collections Pair Iconic Artists with Their Local MiLB Teams including Iowa Cubs, Las Vegas Aviators, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Jersey Shore BlueClaws, & Brooklyn Cyclones . LOS ANGELES – Official League and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) are proud to announce their Local Legends series—an electrifying, first-of-its-kind collaboration fusing music,
MARCH 30 GAME POSTPONED
Today’s game between the Iowa Cubs and Omaha Storm Chasers at Principal Park has been postponed due to weather conditions. The two teams will make up the game during the June 3-8 series at Omaha. Tickets for the game can be exchanged for a ticket to any of our remaining
Iowa Squanders Lead in Late Innings with 12-7 Loss Against Omaha
DES MOINES, IA. - The Iowa Cubs dropped the second game of the three-game set against the Omaha Storm Chasers 12-7 as the I-Cubs bullpen gave up 10 runs in the last four innings. After the Chasers scored in the top of the second to make it a 1-0 lead,
I-Cubs Win Opening Night Against 2024 IL Champions Omaha Storm Chasers 6-3
DES MOINES, IA.- The Iowa Cubs welcomed the Omaha Storm Chasers for the first contest of the 2025 season on Opening Night. Iowa ended up winning 6-3 as the bullpen closed out Omaha in the late innings. Iowa got Opening Night started in the bottom of the second inning and
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE 2025 OPENING DAY ROSTER
The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, today announced their 2025 Opening Day roster. The roster features 17 players with Major League service time and 18 players who have past suited up for Iowa. The roster also features nine players on the Cubs’ Top 30 Prospects List according
Four I-Cubs From 2024 Made First Career Opening Day Roster for Chicago
The Chicago Cubs took on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a two-game set that took place in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, March 18 and today, Wednesday, March 19. Both teams showcased Japanese-born talent as both rosters combine for a total of five Japanese players. Tuesday’s game featured multiple Cubs making
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE JASON KEMPF AS BROADCASTER
DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Cubs today announced Jason Kempf as the new Director of Broadcasting. Kempf brings 10 years of minor league broadcast experience to the I-Cubs, including stops in St. Paul, Wichita, Dayton, Quad Cities and Charleston, where he spent the last four seasons with the RiverDogs.
IOWA CUBS ANNOUNCE 2025 FIELD STAFF
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, announced their field staff for the 2025 season. Marty Pevey returns as manager for the I-Cubs for the 13th-consecutive season, extending his franchise-record tenure. Pevey’s 748 wins are a franchise record and his 1,392 victories are sixth-most
IOWA CUBS RELEASE 2025 PROMOTION SCHEDULE
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs today unveiled the 2025 season promotional schedule, which includes 13 Friday night fireworks, specialty nights, decade nights and more. Single-game tickets are officially on sale at IowaCubs.com/tickets with the home opener set for Friday, March 28 vs. Omaha. Iowa’s opening weekend features Friday
IOWA CUBS IMPRESSING IN WINTER BALL
Following Moises Ballesteros’ impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League, a couple other players from the Iowa Cubs 2024 roster have been making some noise this winter. Also announced this offseason, former Cub and Iowa Cub Quintin Berry will join the Chicago Cubs to be their new third-base coach. Berry
SHAW, BALLESTEROS EXCELLING IN FALL BALL
Top Chicago Cubs prospects Matt Shaw and Moises Ballesteros are turning some heads in their respective fall ball seasons after stellar summers which included stints with the Iowa Cubs. Shaw is representing Team USA in the Premier12 Tournament and through three games, the Cubs No. 1 prospect is batting .727
BALLESTEROS SHINING IN ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
Chicago Cubs No. 4 prospect and baseball’s No. 44 prospect (MLB.com) Moises Ballesteros has continued his excellent summer into the fall with the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. The backstop is slashing .373/.404/.725 (19-for-51) with five home runs and 14 RBI in 11 games with Mesa, including
BALLESTEROS AND BIRDSELL NAMED CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER AND PITCHER OF THE YEAR
The Chicago Cubs announced today that catcher Moises Ballesteros was named the Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year and Brandon Birdsell the Vedie Himsl Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year. It marks the second time Ballesteros has won the award after having done so in 2023.
IOWA CUBS RELEASE 2025 SCHEDULE
DES MOINES, IA – In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Iowa Cubs today announced the 2025 regular season schedule. The 2025 regular season will consist of 75 home games and 75 road games with Iowa opening the year with three home games against the Omaha Storm Chasers, March 28-30.
I-CUBS END SEASON WITH EXTRA-INNING VICTORY
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (68-82) defeated the Rochester Red Wings (77-71) by a 3-2 tally in 11 innings Sunday at Innovative Field to end the 2024 season. Rochester jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on the back of back-to-back two-out RBI singles by Jake Alu
I-CUBS DROP EXTRA-INNING BATTLE TO RED WINGS
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-82) were defeated by a 2-1 final in 10 innings Friday night in Game 4 of their series against the Rochester Red Wings (77-69) at Innovative Field. Iowa took the early lead in the top of the third, when Kevin Alcantara doubled, and Owen
I-CUBS DOWNED LATE BY RED WINGS
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-80) were defeated by a 4-3 final Wednesday night in Game 2 of their series against the Rochester Red Wings (75-69) at Innovative Field. Iowa took the lead in the first when, after back-to-back walks to begin the night, Matt Shaw doubled in Owen
IOWA SHUTOUTS ROCHESTER
ROCHESTER, NY – The Iowa Cubs (66-79) blanked the Rochester Red Wings (74-69) by a 3-0 score tonight at Innovative Field. Hayden Wesneski (2.0 IP), Julian Merryweather (1.0 IP), Caleb Kilian (5.0 IP) and Colten Brewer (1.0 IP) combined for the shutout. Reivaj Garcia got Iowa on the board in
I-CUBS OVERPOWERED BY BATS IN HIGH-SCORING AFFAIR
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (65-79) dropped their last home game of the season to the Louisville Bats (64-79) by a 17-10 final Sunday afternoon at Principal Park. The Cubs’ bats were hot, tallying 18 hits, including five doubles, a triple, and four homers, but the Bats’ bats
I-CUBS MATCH LONGEST STREAK OF SEASON WITH FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN AGAINST BATS
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (65-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (63-79), 7-2, Saturday night at Principal Park, ending the night with seven unanswered runs to earn their fourth straight win. Louisville got on the board first with two in the first courtesy of back-to-back RBI doubles from Levi
HOWARD’S CLUTCH DOUBLE PROPELS I-CUBS IN THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Cubs (64-78) defeated the Louisville Bats (64-77), 6-4, Friday night at Principal Park, as Ed Howard’s sixth-inning three-run double was the difference in the I-Cubs’ third straight victory. Louisville got on the board first with two in the first from a two-run double by