Tony Vitello's great reaction to Tennessee Vols pitcher throwing 103 MPH
Tennessee Vols pitcher Ben Joyce wowed folks on Wednesday by throwing several pitches over 100 MPH, including a few that hit 103 in UT's 16-1 win against UNC-Asheville. And baseball Twitter was impressed. Someone who wasn't that impressed? Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, who jokingly said after the game: "Umm, he didn't hit 104, it's […]
Tennessee Vols pitcher Ben Joyce wowed folks on Wednesday by throwing several pitches over 100 MPH, including a few that hit 103 in UT's 16-1 win against UNC-Asheville.
And baseball Twitter was impressed.
Someone who wasn't that impressed?
Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, who jokingly said after the game: "Umm, he didn't hit 104, it's disappointing. And he has done that in practice before."
Look, I know seeing pitchers throw over 100 is a lot more common than it used to be, but it's still impressive — especially in college (a lot of kids who throw gas like that end up getting drafted high out of high school).
Joyce, a Knoxville native, is at Tennessee after spending two years (2019 and 2020) at Walters State. He missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Entering this season, Joyce was a bit of an unknown — though Vitello knew the potential was there.
“Ben Joyce, it’s really going to be fun,” said Vitello before the season (via Rocky Top Insider). “For a guy that throws as hard as he does and is as big as he is, people need to realize he’s so advanced physically and stuff wise, but he’s at the opposite end of the spectrum— and no disrespect meant— he just hasn’t thrown a lot."
After tonight, a lot of people outside of Tennessee know Ben Joyce's name. And I have a feeling he'll be shooting up MLB draft boards — even if Vitello basically shrugged at his right-hander throwing 103 MPH.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK