LA Angels' Ben Joyce: Flamethrower's Development Under Kenley Jansen

Mei Lin

4 min read

Post on May 18, 2025

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Ben Joyce's Raw Talent and Early Career

Ben Joyce's calling card is his electric fastball. The sheer velocity he generates leaves batters flailing, often unable to even make solid contact. This incredible speed was honed during his college career at the University of Tennessee, where he consistently impressed with his overpowering pitching style. While his college stats showcased his potential, he also faced challenges that would require refinement at the professional level.

• Velocity: Joyce's fastball regularly surpasses 100 mph, a feat that instantly puts him in the elite category of MLB pitchers.
• College Baseball Success: While specific statistics are readily available online, his dominance in college baseball demonstrated his potential for success at the professional level.
• Initial Challenges: Despite his velocity, early career reports highlighted the need to improve his command and control—a common hurdle for pitchers with such overpowering stuff. His high walk rate was a key area requiring development.

Command and Control: The Initial Hurdle

For all his velocity, effectively controlling the strike zone is crucial for any pitcher's success, and especially for a relief pitcher. Joyce’s early struggles with command, resulting in a higher-than-ideal walk rate, were a significant area of focus. Improving his command and control would be key to maximizing his effectiveness and longevity in the MLB. This meant focusing on precise mechanics and developing better pitch location.

Kenley Jansen's Mentorship: A Masterclass in Relief Pitching

Kenley Jansen, a highly decorated closer with an extensive MLB career, brings unparalleled experience and expertise to his role mentoring Ben Joyce. Jansen's career is a testament to the importance of consistent performance under pressure, something he can directly impart to the younger pitcher. His guidance likely covers numerous aspects, from pitching strategy to the mental game.

• Closer Expertise: Jansen's success as a closer provides invaluable insight into handling high-leverage situations.
• Pitching Strategy: The guidance extends to pitch selection and sequencing, maximizing the impact of each pitch thrown.
• Cutter and Changeup: Jansen's legendary cutter and proficiency with a changeup, offer valuable lessons in developing a wider pitch arsenal beyond the fastball.

Beyond Velocity: Developing a Secondary Pitch Arsenal

While Joyce’s fastball is his primary weapon, relying solely on velocity is unsustainable at the highest level of baseball. Developing effective secondary pitches is crucial. Jansen's mentorship helps Joyce refine his existing pitches and potentially add new ones, like a curveball, slider, or changeup, creating a more diverse and unpredictable pitch mix.

Mental Game and Game Management

The mental aspect of pitching is often overlooked, but it's crucial, especially for relief pitchers who often enter games in high-pressure situations. Jansen’s experience in handling pressure, and his ability to perform consistently in crucial moments, provides invaluable knowledge to Joyce. This includes strategies for handling pressure, managing emotions, and maintaining focus.

The Impact on Ben Joyce's Performance and Future

While it's early in their collaborative journey, the impact of Jansen's mentorship is likely already visible in Joyce's improved performance. Quantifiable improvements in his ERA (Earned Run Average) and WHIP (WHIP – Walks plus hits per inning pitched) would be strong indicators of his development. The long-term projection for Joyce's MLB career is significantly enhanced by this guidance.

Potential Role in the Angels' Bullpen

Joyce's future role within the Angels' bullpen remains to be seen. His explosive fastball makes him a potential closer, but his development of secondary pitches will determine the best fit. Whether he's a high-leverage setup man or ultimately a closer, his potential impact on the Angels’ bullpen is significant.

The Ben Joyce-Kenley Jansen Partnership: A Recipe for Success?

The collaboration between Ben Joyce and Kenley Jansen presents a compelling narrative in MLB player development. Jansen's experience and mentorship are crucial to unlocking Joyce's full potential. The improvement in command, the addition of secondary pitches, and the honing of his mental game, all point to a bright future. This partnership could redefine the trajectory of a young, fireballing pitcher, demonstrating the power of experienced mentorship. Share your predictions for Ben Joyce’s future and the impact of Kenley Jansen’s mentorship! Let us know what you think will happen as this exciting partnership continues to unfold.