Angels News: Insights from Logan O'Hoppe on catching Ben Joyce's blazing fastballs

Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe recently shared insights on the struggles of receiving teammate Ben Joyce's blazing fastball, which reaches speeds of over 105 mph. As O'Hoppe put it, "It’s tougher to catch and get those pitches on the edges because it is coming in so hard and you don't want to cheat to it and get tense." This comment highlights not only the technical challenges for catchers but also sheds light on the unique attributes of Joyce's pitching style.

Ben Joyce, a promising 23-year-old relief pitcher, has quickly made a name for himself with his astonishing fastball, which recorded a strikeout pitch of 105.5 mph—the fastest in the pitch-tracking era. His velocity places him in a rarefied category among elite pitchers, alongside the likes of Aroldis Chapman, who has thrown even faster pitches during his career. However, with this impressive speed comes a formidable challenge for his catchers.

Joyce's extraordinary velocity has a tangible impact on receiving numbers, as highlighted by O'Hoppe. “The receiving numbers are always a little lower with him because it's tougher to stay beneath the ball,” O'Hoppe noted. This means that while Joyce is effective at striking out hitters, his speed presents additional hurdles for catchers in terms of accuracy and technique. Catchers must remain agile and composed, as any fleeting tension or hesitation can result in missed calls or poorly executed plays.

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Currently, Joyce boasts a 2-0 record, a sparkling 2.08 ERA, and 33 strikeouts over 34.2 innings. If he can manage both health and effectiveness on the mound, he may well be poised to become a key player in the Angels' rotation.