May 29, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Local high school standout Chris Joyce, who signed a letter of intent to play baseball at UC Santa Barbara next season, has been ranked 184th in Baseball America's list of the top 200 prospects for the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.

Joyce, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, is in his senior year at Dos Pueblos High School in nearby Goleta, Calif. On the hill for the Chargers in 2008, Joyce went 3-2 with a 1.60 earned run average in 35 innings pitched. He struck out 67 while walking just 23 and picked up one save during the campaign. Joyce led the staff in innings, appearances, ERA, wins, and strikeouts.

In 21 games played, Joyce batted .385 with 17 runs and 15 RBI. Of his 25 hits on the year, four were doubles and two were home runs.

In 2007, Joyce was selected to the All-California Collegiate League Team after becoming the youngest player ever to pitch for the league's Santa Barbara Foresters. He compiled a 5-1 record in seven starts with the Foresters, sporting a 1.34 ERA, while striking out 50 in 40.1 innings. He allowed just 16 hits along the way.

In addition to receiving First Team All-Channel League honors, Joyce was also selected to the Milwaukee Brewers Blue Area Code team, as well as being nominated to pitch in the California Major League Baseball Scout Ball All-Star Game at the MLB Academy in Compton, Calif.

Joyce and infielder Ryan Palermo (Redwood City, Calif./Serra High School) were inked by the Gauchos during the November, 2007 early signing period.

The Gauchos finished a stellar 2008 season with a 35-21 overall record and tied for third place in the ultra-competitive Big West Conference with a 14-10 mark, just barley missing a postseason invite.

-- UCSBGauchos.com --