With a blazing 105.5 mph fastball to strike out Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman, Ben Joyce came within 0.3 mph of making MLB history. Only Aroldis Chapman, with his record-breaking 105.8 mph and 105.7 mph pitches, has thrown the ball harder off the mound.
According to the broadcast radar gun, Joyce’s fastball hit 106 mph, making it the fastest-recorded strikeout pitch in MLB history. This is not uncharted territory for the fireballing pitcher. Joyce previously reached the same velocity of 105.5 mph while playing for the University of Tennessee. Known for his heat for years, the challenge has always been harnessing his incredible speed with better command, something he’s shown signs of improvement in during the 2024 season.
Despite the impressive numbers, Joyce’s place in baseball history is complicated by the evolving methods of pitch tracking. Statcast, which recorded Joyce’s velocity, has only been around since 2015, and prior to that, MLB used the less reliable PITCHf/x system from 2006 to 2015. Chapman’s record-breaking pitch was measured using the PITCHf/x system. Before PITCHf/x, even less reliable radar guns were used, potentially underestimating the velocities thrown by past pitching legends like Nolan Ryan.
While modern MLB pitchers are arguably better trained to consistently hit higher velocities, the inconsistencies in historical measurements make it difficult to definitively crown the fastest pitcher in history. As a result, Joyce’s achievement exists within a somewhat hazy context, where technological advancements play a crucial role in how we understand velocity records.
Regardless, Joyce’s blistering pitch wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Los Angeles Angels. In extra innings, Mookie Betts delivered a 104.4 mph rocket off his bat, leading to a 6-2 victory for the Dodgers. While Joyce’s fastball made headlines, Betts’ bat ultimately had the more significant impact on the game.
Joyce’s feat will remain a memorable moment in MLB’s ongoing quest for speed, but it also highlights how raw velocity, while impressive, isn’t always the deciding factor in a game’s outcome.