Corey Joyce
Position: IF
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 08/19/1998
College: North Carolina Central University
How Acquired: Minor league free agent
Drafted: 12th Round, 352nd Overall, 2019 (Tigers)
Bonus: $125,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2026
Options Left: 3
Overview
A 12th-round pick of the Tigers, Joyce was drafted mainly for a good hit tool. He hit for good averages, consistently in the .340s and .350s, in college, generally making good contact. Scouts at the time weren’t sure he’d be able to stay at short. As a pro, he’s had just decent K rates and hasn’t usually hit for good averages. He’s drawn enough walks to put up good OBPs and he’s shown just modest power. He’s mostly played short and second, with some time at third.
2019-21
After signing, Joyce played in the New York-Penn League and briefly in low A. He struggled to hit at both levels. After missing the pandemic season, the Tigers assigned him to high A at the beginning of May. He moved around several times over the next six weeks, then got hurt in mid-July and was out until late August. In the end, Joyce got into 49 games at four levels, including 11 in AA. He had just a .652 OPS.
2022-25
Detroit sent Joyce back to high A in 2022. He missed two months in the middle of the season and later saw some time in AA and AAA. He batted 240/399/433 with nearly as many walks as strikeouts in high A. In AAA, he had a nice stretch with three straight three-hit games.
Joyce divided 2023 between AA and AAA. He struggled badly in AA, with a .504 OPS, but he had an .840 OPS in AAA. The following year, Joyce missed nearly the entire season with an injury.
Detroit released Joyce at the end of spring training in 2025 and he signed with the Cubs. He spent the season with them in AA, batting 272/393/347. He became a free agent after the season and signed a minor league deal with the Pirates during spring training.
Stats
Transactions
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 12th round, 352nd overall pick; signed on June 10.
March 31, 2025: Released by the Detroit Tigers.
April 15, 2025: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Chicago Cubs.
November 6, 2025: Became a free agent.
February 26, 2026: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.