As fans, we often forget that some things are bigger than baseball for players. They play a sport we all know and love, and there is an expectation that nothing else should matter as much as the game. But players go through many of the day-to-day struggles we find ourselves facing. After all, they are human beings just like us.
We often highlight successful journeys of players who overcome the odds of being a late-round draft, finding something that made their game click late in their career, or bouncing back from injuries. Zach Joyce’s journey back to baseball has less to do with finding newfound levels to his game or bouncing back from an injury but more with finding a place in his community and meaning in himself and his life.
Joyce had a successful baseball career in high school and at Walters State Community College, which led him to transfer to the University of Tennessee to play baseball alongside his twin brother Ben. Adversity greeted Joyce as soon as he stepped through the door. In 2020, he underwent Tommy John surgery and ended up stepping away from baseball before he even had a chance to put on a uniform.
The surgery wasn’t the main reason he stepped away, but it was an even bigger reason. Zach was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision that put himself and his well-being over the game he has known and loved for his entire life.
“It was almost out of necessity, to be honest,” Joyce said. “I knew at that point I was dealing with pretty severe anxiety and depression. I was having panic attacks basically every day that would cause me to be at the point of passing out and I was still having trouble opening up about it.”
Unable to figure out what was leading to the anxiety and depression, he felt that baseball was part of the reason for his feelings.
“I kind of just wanted something to blame it on, and at that point, I chose baseball, but I slowly realized that it happens to a lot of people,” Joyce said. The coaches at Tennessee were super supportive the entire time and were only focused on me getting better and getting help. My girlfriend also dealt with anxiety, and she was extremely supportive and helpful, as were my brother and my parents.”
Having that support system and those around him who let him know it was okay not to be okay gave him the freedom to focus on himself. As it is for most people, it wasn’t an easy journey to overcome, and battles continue to this day. It took Joyce seeking out resources to help him get through what he was going through.
“As an athlete at UT we actually had a few resources we could use for mental health. I got connected with a psychiatrist as well as a therapist and began taking medicine to start helping alongside that,” Joyce said. “The biggest resource I found was just opening up to people close to me. Obviously not all at once and not right away, but over time I was able to be transparent about it. It is an extremely vulnerable and uncomfortable feeling but it does help so much. Finding things that helped me such as working out and even going hiking on my own.”
Joyce touches on a huge aspect of overcoming mental health battles... Vulnerability. Not just the vulnerability to seek out the resources he needed to help him but the vulnerability to talk to others about what he was going through. We’ve made significant progress as a society, but unfortunately, stigma still exists around getting treatment for mental health issues. Because of that stigma, many people often don’t seek out care or talk to others about how they are feeling because of the fear of being judged.
Zach was able to overcome something that was uncomfortable and it became one of the biggest resources he had. Finding that comfort to be able to confide in others and continuing to utilize the tools and resources he had led to Zach eventually working his way back to baseball. He eventually enrolled back at the University of Tennessee. When Zach stepped away, it wasn’t a priority to get back to baseball, but he kept itching to get back on the mound
“The first year and a half after I stepped away, I didn’t watch a single baseball game. I was basically just a regular college student, even working jobs and doing internships,” Joyce said. “Then when Ben came back from TJ and started throwing again the second year, I went to games to support him. I remember having to get up and walk around the first game I went to because I was itching so badly to get back out there.”
Missing the feeling of 1-on-1 competitions, seeing his twin brother Ben out there throwing again after TJ and watching the team atmosphere on the field fired Zach up to play baseball again. And on February 19, 2023, Joyce debuted on the mound against UC San Diego again. He came out of the bullpen for the Volunteers and went two-thirds of an inning, striking out the only two batters he faced. The fastball reached 95 mph, and he had his slider in the mid-80s. Joyce was back.
“I can still remember the entire outing even though I felt like I blacked out. It had been over 4 years since my last time in a game and we were out in Arizona for the MLB 4 tournament. I know they were trying to get me a clean inning, but I ended up coming in with 1 out and bases loaded,” Joyce said. “Once I got out there I just remember how good it felt and how excited I was. I ended up striking out the 2 guys I faced and the reactions from my teammates was the best feeling. They were all so supportive the entire time and helped me so much.”
Joyce finished the season with 10.1 innings pitched while striking out 17 batters. It was a small sample size of success, but all that mattered was that he was back on the mound throwing. That small sample size still had scouts taking notice. And as the draft rolled around in 2023, Joyce heard his name called in the 14th Round by the Los Angeles Angels, the same team his twin brother Ben played for.
Ben and Zach have played everywhere together, and that close-knit relationship has been beneficial to the both of them, even it can get overly competitive at times. Still, Zach wouldn’t trade his relationship with his brother for anything.
“It’s been incredible, and I’m definitely blessed to have a twin brother playing the same sport,” Joyce said. “Obviously, it gets extremely competitive, and we have our rough times, but you always have someone to work with and someone to help you out when you need it. Watching his success has been incredible and how hard he works pushed me even more.”
Zach debuted in 2023 and found success again, pitching 10.2 innings while striking out nine and giving up only three earned runs in A ball. Regardless of his success and making it to the next level in his baseball career, Zach knows that his battles with mental health don’t just end there. He knows it will always take consistent work on his end going into 2024 and beyond.
“There are still hard days but getting to the point where I am consistent through all of the highs and lows and continue to grow as a person and teammate on and off the field,” Joyce said. “I pride myself in being a great teammate and a person that people can confide and trust in. I want to continue to build that and have a healthy season on the field. Enjoy the moments I am in whatever and wherever they might be.”
Zach’s journey in baseball and life is just beginning. He’s found his way to seeking out community with others around him. Having overcome so much in baseball and life, Zach hopes that sharing his story helps others and lets them know that they aren’t alone on their own personal journey.
“It is an extremely vulnerable feeling but it will change your life if you open up and seek help. It is more tough to be able to do that than to keep it all in,” Joyce said.
“I know I felt like a burden for doing it, but the people that love and care about you notice when things are wrong and that is even more of a burden if they feel like they can’t help. Take it one day at a time. ‘The pain you have been feeling can’t compare to the joy that is coming’ Romans 8:18”