J.D. Martinez, a designated hitter for the New York Mets, encountered a new challenge in the form of Los Angeles Angels rookie Ben Joyce. Joyce struck out Martinez with a record-breaking 104.7 mph cutter, making it the fastest pitch in the current MLB season. This pitch surpassed Joyce’s previous record of 104.5 mph set in a game against Seattle earlier in July. The pitch also ranks as one of the fastest since 2009, according to Sportradar.
This remarkable moment occurred during the final pitch of the game, securing Joyce his first big league save as the Angels clinched a 5-4 victory over the Mets. Martinez, upon learning about the pitch’s speed, humorously acknowledged that his strikeout might make its way onto his Instagram.
The encounter between Martinez and Joyce showcased a thrilling power versus power showdown at the game’s conclusion. Despite Martinez giving the Mets a 4-2 lead with a grand slam in the seventh inning, the Angels managed to rally back with Zach Neto’s three-run homer. Joyce entered the game in the eighth inning with two outs, retiring the last four batters, including Martinez.
Joyce, who has not allowed a run in 18 consecutive outings since mid-June, has frequently surpassed 100 mph with over 41% of his pitches this season, positioning him second in the league in this category. With the Angels trading other relievers, Joyce is set to assume a more prominent role in save opportunities during the remainder of the season. Drafted in the third round by the Angels in 2022, Joyce looks to join a select group of pitchers who have reached the 105 mph milestone since 2009.
The Angels’ catcher, Logan O’Hoppe, had to communicate with Joyce before the record-breaking pitch to Martinez due to the loud stadium noise. As Joyce continues his impressive performance, there is speculation that he may reach or even surpass the elusive 105 mph mark in the future.
