Tag: Rocket City Trash Pandas

Ben Joyce records strikeout in professional debut

A look at former Vol Ben Joyce’s professional pitching debut.

Former Vol Ben Joyce made his professional debut Saturday with the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Tennessee defeated Rocket City, 5-3, in Madison, Alabama.

Joyce pitched one inning, recording one strikeout, while allowing four hits, two earned runs and zero walks.

Joyce was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the third round (No. 89 overall) in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Joyce appeared in 27 games and started one contest in 2022 for the Vols.

Joyce had a 2-1 record, while totaling 53 strikeouts in 32.1 innings pitched during the 2022 campaign.

Tennessee won the Southeastern Conference East division for the second consecutive season, the league regular season and tournament championships in 2022.

2022 Tennessee baseball: Ben Joyce by the numbers

Below is social media reaction of Joyce’s professional debut.

Former Notre Dame players in the minor leagues in 2022

Who should you keep tabs on this summer?

With Major League Baseball held up by a lockout, fans of America’s pastime might have to look elsewhere to get their fix for now. College baseball is the most obvious one at the moment since that season already has started. If fans have a little more patience, they will be able to keep up with the minor leagues in a month. Although there are much fewer teams than before, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of players to keep track of.

If you’re wondering if any former Notre Dame players are in the minors, you’re in luck. When the season begins, there will be quite a few players who once wore blue and gold working continuing their journey to baseball’s top level. If MLB gets its act together before it loses its whole season, you might see a few of these names with their parent club later this summer. Here’s who to look out for both this year and beyond: