Position: Pitcher Bats: Right • Throws: Right 6-5, 255lb (196cm, 115kg) Team: Pittsburgh Pirates (minors, 40-man) Born: April 25, 1994 in Pomona, CA us. Draft: Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2nd round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Pomona, CA). He owns just 37 strikeouts this season, but has also issued only six walks and owns a 1.18 WHIP.
The Pirates have presumably had Ponce get more stretched out since he returned to the alternate site, but the right-hander probably shouldn't be counted on to work longer than five innings in what will be his first MLB start.Pittsburgh is expected to replace Ponce on the 28-man roster with another player prior to Tuesday's series opener with the Indians. Cody Joe Ponce (born April 25, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Ponce's starting experience in the minors makes him a candidate to fill the open spot in the rotation with Mitch Keller (side) on the injured list.This protects him from the Rule 5 draft. He proved before the trade that he probably has what it takes to make it to the majors as a reliever, but the Pirates want to develop him as a starter for now.Ponce wasn't a top prospect within the Milwaukee organization, but Pittsburgh never had realistic hopes of getting a significant haul for a pitcher on an expiring deal who had posted middling results (5.36 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 17 starts) out of the rotation this season. Having turned 23 in April, he has a shot to move up to the Double-A level at some point this year.Ponce has been sidelined since early April due to arm fatigue, but it appears he is on the verge of seeing game action again. Brewers' Cody Ponce: Pitching well for High-A Carolina August 3, 2020 Cody Ponce ’s Major League debut didn’t exactly go according to plan. Pirates' Cody Ponce: Joining big-league club by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire Ponce was recalled from the three-man taxi squad Sunday, Rob Biertempfel …
He'll likely report to Double-A Altoona after posting a 3.29 ERA and 44:12 K:BB in 38.1 innings for the Brewers' Southern League affiliate in Biloxi.Ponce opened the season on the injured list, but he was able to make it back by early May. He will likely report to High-A Brevard County when he is ready to go.The move is being dubbed as precautionary, but it is still something worth keeping an eye on. (Courtesy of CPP Athletic Department) But baseball was not the only sport Ponce played growing up. Cody Ponce pitches the final inning during the Broncos 7-4 win over UC San Diego to win the West Regional of the NCAA baseball playoffs May 18, 2015. Richmond...Moved into the starting rotation for his final five appearances...Allowed a pair of runs in 3.0 innings of work in first start on 8/10 vs. Reading...Was promoted to Indianapolis on 8/11...Was charged with six runs (4er) in 4.0 innings while suffering the loss in his Triple-A debut on 8/16 at Lehigh Valley (game two)...Struck out a season-high eight batters while winning his first decision with Indianapolis on 8/21 at Toledo...Went 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA (23.0ip/6er) and 27 strikeouts in five starts for the Peoria Javelinas during the Arizona Fall League...Finished tied for fourth in the Arizona Fall League in strikeouts...Went 1-1 with a 2.03 ERA (13.1ip/3er) in three starts for Team USA in the WSBC Premier 12 Tournament.Spent entire season with Biloxi...Went 3-5 with a 4.94 ERA (54.2ip/30er) in 11 starts and 4-1 with a 3.57 ERA (40.1ip/16er) in 18 relief appearances...Was named Milwaukee's Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July after going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA (16.0ip/4er) in six games.Went 10-9 with a 3.14 ERA (137.2ip/48er) and 103 strikeouts in 25 total starts between Single-A Carolina and Biloxi...Was named to the Carolina League mid-season All-Star team...Ranked second in the league in ERA, third in fewest walks per 9.0 innings (1.88) and fifth in fewest baserunners per 9.0ip (12.08)...Finished tied for second among Brewers minor leaguers in wins and fourth in ERA.Entered season ranked as Milwaukee's ninth-best prospect according to Baseball America...Spent entire season with Single-A Brevard County of the Florida State League...Began campaign on the seven-day injured list with right forearm inflammation...Was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for the week of 7/4-10 after going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA (11.0ip/0er) and 17 strikeouts in two starts.Went 2-1 with a 2.29 ERA (51.0ip/13er) in 14 total appearances (nine starts) between Rookie-level Helena and Single-A Wisconsin during first professional season.
Ponce did all of starting, tandem pitching and short-relief work last year, so his role moving forward is a bit up in the air.Ponce now owns a 3.35 ERA through eight starts this season, and he has been particularly sharp of late, allowing just four earned runs in 22 innings over his last three outings. Ponce had a 3.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 53:11 K:BB in 47.2 innings (including the Arizona Fall League) after getting traded from the Brewers to the Pirates.