| Matt Joyce | |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays – No. 20 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: August 3, 1984 Tampa, Florida |
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| Bats: Left | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| May 5, 2008 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Career statistics (through August 27, 2011) |
|
| Batting average | .259 |
| Home runs | 42 |
| Runs batted in | 136 |
| Teams | |
|
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
Matthew R. Joyce (born August 3, 1984 in Tampa, Florida) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida.
Joyce played baseball for Florida Southern College, and participated in the 2005 season which saw them win their ninth Division II national title. While playing for FSC Joyce participated in an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers in which the teams tied 2–2 after 10 innings.[1] Just days after the final game, Joyce was one of four players from that team selected in the draft; the others were Geoff Strickland, Jeff Howell, and Matthew Mercurio.
The Detroit Tigers took Joyce in the 12th round and assigned him to the Single-A Oneonta Tigers, where he batted .332 on the year.[2][3]
In 2006, Joyce moved up to the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps, where he batted .258 with 11 home runs and 86 RBIs as the Whitecaps captured the Midwest League's championship for the second time in three years.[4]
In 2007 the Tigers moved Joyce up to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, where he hit .257 but improved his power, hitting 17 home runs. The SeaWolves won their division that year but fell to the Akron Aeros in the playoffs. Joyce, along with fellow outfielder Clete Thomas, was considered a likely future major leaguer. Commenting on the two, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski remarked that, "We think they're both prospects... We're not counting on them for this year, but they've got a chance to play at the Triple-A level (this season), depending on how they do this spring."[3][5]
In 2008, Joyce was one of 21 non-roster invitees to Tigers' spring training. He said: "Your mind races... You're a step closer to the big leagues. It's a big accomplishment, but you have to take it in stride, have fun with it and not pressure yourself too much."[6]
In mid-March Joyce was part of the first-round of spring training cuts, and sent to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. For the season, he batted .270 for Toledo.
The Tigers called him up in early May to take Jacque Jones' spot on the roster.[7] In his major league debut, Joyce played right field and batted seventh in the lineup. In his first at bat, he drew a walk, but went hitless on the evening. Joyce hit his first big league home run on May 10, at home against the New York Yankees.[8] On May 29, Joyce lost his playing time to Marcus Thames, and he was subsequently sent to Toledo.[9] The Tigers recalled Joyce on June 29 after Magglio Ordóñez went on the disabled list with a pulled oblique.[10]
He batted .252 for the Tigers, in 242 at bats, primarily as a left fielder.[11] On December 10, Joyce was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Edwin Jackson.[12]
In 2009, Joyce was an opening day starter for the Tampa Bay Rays, filling in for the injured B.J. Upton. He was sent back down to the minors shortly after. He spent the rest of the year with the Durham Bulls. He batted clean-up and hit 35 doubles with a slugging percentage well in the 400s.
He hit .188 in 32 at bats for the Rays, with a .270 on base percentage.[11]
Joyce hurt his elbow early in 2010 spring training, and was on the disabled list. He was recalled to the active roster on June 24, after a minor league rehab stint. He filled the roster spot vacated by catcher Dioner Navarro, who was optioned to the Durham Bulls. Joyce hit a pinch-hit grand slam go-ahead home run in the 8th inning of the Rays-Twins game on July 3 at Target Field, moving to the starting right field position. Joyce hit a grand slam go ahead home run in the 6th inning of Matt Garza's no hitter against the Detroit Tigers, Joyce's former team.
He batted .241 in 216 at bats in 2010, playing right field (77 games) and left field (13 games), and as the designated hitter (11 games).[11]
In 2011, Joyce was selected to his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[13]