Angels put Joyce through 'chaos' to maintain composure

PEORIA, Ariz. -- After hard-throwing relief prospect Ben Joyce struggled in his Cactus League debut on Feb. 26, allowing a grand slam after walking three batters, Angels pitching coaches Barry Enright and Steve Karsay came up with a plan to help him drown out any outside noise.

They created what they call the “chaos” drill on Sunday where Joyce threw a bullpen session on the club’s half-field with music blaring from a jukebox and even fans yelling to simulate crowd noise. Joyce, the club’s No. 5 prospect, responded well to the drill and bounced back to throw a scoreless inning against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday night.

“They put a little thing together for him that we call 'chaos,'” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He was on the mound, had all sorts of noise going and fans trying to rattle him, but he got through that. And then [Tuesday] night, you saw what he did.”

Joyce, 23, said he had a general idea of what he was getting into with the drill and found it to be a helpful way to deal with distractions and channel his energy. Angels coaches called out different situations for Joyce such as having runners on base and had him work on holding runners and throwing pick-off throws.

“It was interesting,” Joyce said. “It was more simulated game environment for a bullpen. We had base runners on and PitchComm and everything. And loud music and all this all this stuff going on. Just really trying to slow the game down and execute a pitch in different situations.”

He was efficient against the Dodgers in his next outing, needing only five pitches to retire big league veterans Max Muncy, Jason Heyward and Enrique Hernández in order. It was a good sign for Joyce, who can dial up his fastball as high as 104 mph but is working on his command. He also throws a hard slider that he pairs with a sweeping slider to give the hitters a different look.

“He got three outs on five pitches and had a smile from ear to ear,” Washington said. “He felt good about himself. And that’s what we’re supposed to help him do. He’s a young kid. If you can’t throw it over the plate, 104 is no good. But he’s progressing and we saw it. That’s a step forward for him.”

Joyce has been the only pitcher to go through the “chaos” drill so far this spring but Washington said there could be others who could benefit from it. Joyce is competing for a spot in the bullpen but could be sent to the Minors for a bit more seasoning.

“That was my first time seeing it or hearing of it,” Washington said. “But the first thing I did to my pitching coaches was pat them on the back. I don’t care where they got it from. Because it’s working. Those guys are loving up on those kids and the kids are responding. And that’s what it’s about.”

Canning has trouble with command but gets work in
Right-hander Griffin Canning came into his start against the Mariners on Thursday having thrown five scoreless innings this spring. But he struggled in the first inning and had to be removed with two outs -- though he was able to re-enter the game in the second inning because of the Spring Training re-entry rule.

Canning went 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits and four walks while pitching in light rain. But he did strike out four and said pitching with runners on base was good preparation for the regular season.

“It’s going to happen during the season so you have to find a way to fight through it,” Canning said. “I was able to get back and find my rhythm.”

Washington has singled out Canning as someone he believes can be a leader on the club because of his experience and the way he carries himself. Canning, 27, has been with the club since 2019 but missed the 2022 season because of a back injury. But he returned last season to post a 4.32 ERA with 139 strikeouts in 127 innings to put himself firmly in this year’s rotation.

“I've been here watching him work since Day One, seeing how he goes about his business, and when he's in a crowd, he's the one that stands out,” Washington said. “I want him to understand that I see that. And I just him to be who he is.”