Angels News: One Pitching Change Paved Way for Ben Joyce to Get Called Up
The Los Angeles Angels have been in search of the perfect pitching rotation and bullpen all year long. The likes of Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, and Shohei Ohtani have done their best to set up the relievers for as many wins as possible.
And when it comes to the bullpen, we've seen a number of changes and switches as some players get thrown into a starting position while new names show up there all the time. In 2023 specifically, LA has looked to their minor league prospects on multiple occasions to fill any voids.
Ben Joyce was recently called up to fill Matt Moore's role, who was pitching a 1.44 ERA in 22 outings before going down with an oblique injury, and this is not too soon after Chase Silseth got brought up as well.
Luckily for Joyce, he appears to have been ready for the moment.
“I think just changing how I approach hitters and gaining confidence was a big thing for me,” Joyce said. “I think adding that cutter was big for me because there was such a velo difference from the fastball and the sweeper. It adds something in between. But I think confidence was the biggest thing.”
(Via MLB.com)
His versatility will go a long way once he starts getting consistent minutes for the Halos. We just saw them swept by the Marlins this weekend as they gave up multiple runs in the later innings.
Joyce could be the latest rookie to provide new life to the squad and give the pitching staff a nice spark.
The 22-year-old revealed that his coaching staff had been telling him for a couple weeks that his big league opportunity was getting closer and closer and to just remain doing what he was doing.
“We were down in Double-A a few weeks ago and they were saying if you could put together some good weeks and to do good things, you’re gonna move up quick,” Joyce said. “And they were true to that so it's awesome to see.”
(Via MLB.com)
We are definitely going to see what he's made of soon!
