"Ponce was selected 55th overall in the 2015 draft, but didn't have much of a big league career. The right-handed pitcher made his big league debut five seasons later with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020, posting a 3.18 ERA and 6.66 FIP in 17 innings pitched. He made 15 more appearances the following season, authoring a 7.04 ERA and 4.94 FIP in 38.1 innings pitched."
"The 31-year-old had one of the best seasons in league history, finishing with a 1.89 ERA and 2.15 FIP in 180.2 innings pitched, along with a 36.2 K% and 5.9 BB%. Ponce had an incredible 30.3 K-BB%, and even broke the record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game (18). A significant change that has led to success for the right-handed pitcher is improved velocity."
Cody Ponce signed a three-year contract at $10 million per season. He was a 2015 draft pick who debuted in MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020, recording mixed results through 2021. Ponce then pitched in Japan and moved to the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO, where he posted a 1.89 ERA and 2.15 FIP over 180.2 innings with a 36.2 K% and 30.3 K-BB%. His fastball velocity rose from about 93 mph to an average of 95.5 mph in Korea. His arsenal includes a plus kick changeup, cutter, curveball, and sinker. His role for 2026—rotation spot or long-relief option—remains uncertain.
Read at BlueJaysNation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]