Cody Joseph Ponce...Graduated from Damien High School in California...Played three seasons at Cal Poly Pomona, where he earned All-California Athletic Association honours each season... Appeared in a combined 45 games (28 starts) going 14-10 with a 2.42 ERA (50 ER/185.2 IP), 51 walks, 162 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP...He and his wife, Emma, recently had their first baby, a daughter in the fall of 2025...His brother in law is George Kittle, star Tight End for the San Francisco Giants...Massive Star Wars fan...Chose uniform No. 66 in reference to “Order 66” from Episode III: Revenge of the Sith...While in Korea, chose No. 30 so he would be CP30, in reference to C-3PO...Watches something Star Wars related before every start.
2025
Spent the 2025 season with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO...Named the KBO League MVP and the Choi Dong-won Award winner as the league’s top starting pitcher...Won the Triple Crown, going 17-1 while posting a 1.89 ERA (38 ER/180.2 IP) with a 0.94 WHIP, a 5.9% walk rate, a 36.2% strikeout rate and a 30.3% K-BB across 29 starts...Set the KBO League single-season record with 252 strikeouts...Recorded 18 strikeouts on May 17, the most strikeouts in a single game in KBO history.
2024
Played with the Rakuten Golden Eagles for the 2024 season...In 26 contests between the two leagues, went 6-9 with a 4.61 ERA (65 ER/127.0 IP), 35 walks, 121 strikeouts and a 1.41 WHIP.
2023
Remained with Nippon Ham Fighters for the 2023 campaign, appearing in 14 games between the Pacific League and the Eastern League, going 5-8 with a 4.08 ERA (31 ER/68.1 IP), 17 walks, 52 strikeouts and a 1.36 WHIP.
2022
After being released by the Pirates, signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters of the NPB for 2022...Between the Pacific League and the Eastern League, combined to appear in 21 contests, going 4-7 with a 3.45 ERA (40 ER/104.1 IP), 28 walks, 83 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP.
2021
Split the season between the MLB level with the Pirates and at Triple-A Indianapolis...In 30 combined starts (10 starts), went 1-10 with a 5.64 ERA (60 ER/95.2 IP), a 4.39 FIP, a 1.46 WHIP, a 6.9% walk rate and a 22.6% strikeout rate...Placed on the 10-day injured list at the beginning of the season, before being assigned to the Alternate Training Site and Triple-A Indianapolis...Recalled to the MLB roster on May 25, June 28, July 27 and Sept. 6...Released by the Pirates on Nov. 29...Featured a 7.2 foot extension, which ranked in the 96th percentile.
2020
Began season at the alternate training site in Altoona...Joined the Taxi Squad on 7/30 for the team’s trip to Chicago (NL) and Minnesota...Was officially recalled on 8/2 prior to the game in Chicago...Made Major League debut on 8/2 and suffered the loss; entered game in the 11th inning and surrendered game-winning hit to Javier Baez...Gave up two solo home runs while pitching 3.0 innings on 8/6 vs. Minnesota...Was optioned to alternate training camp on 8/16...Was recalled to start game two of the doubleheader in St. Louis on 8/27; pitched 5.2 scoreless innings to earn his first Major League win (first big league start)...Was optioned back after the game...Was recalled again on 9/4 and started game two of the doubleheader that day vs. Cincinnati; had a no decision (4.0ip/3er)...Was optioned back to alternate training camp following the game...Was recalled a final time to start game one of the doubleheader on 9/14 at Cincinnati; gave up one hit (solo homer to Joey Votto) in 4.0ip, but received a no-decision in 3-1 walk-off loss...Was optioned following game two...Gave up a total of five home runs, accounting for six of the seven runs he allowed...Went 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA (13.2ip/4er) and a .191 batting average against in his three starts and 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA (3.1ip/3r/2er) in his two relief appearances.
2019
Went 2-6 with two saves, a 4.14 ERA (63.0ip/29er) and 70 strikeouts in 34 total appearances (five starts) between Biloxi (Brewers’ Double-A), Altoona and Indianapolis... Entered season ranked as Milwaukee’s 26th-best prospect according to Baseball America...Began season in Extended Spring Training before reporting to Biloxi on 5/4...Did not allow a run in 16 of his first 21 outings thru 7/5, while posting a 1.74 ERA (31.0ip/6er)...Tossed 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings over six games from 5/26 to 6/13, including four straight 2.0-inning outings from 5/31 to 6/9...Was acquired by Pittsburgh on 7/29 and was assigned to Altoona on 8/1...Recorded three strikeouts while retiring all six batters he faced while picking up his first save as a member of the Pirates organization on 8/5 vs. Richmond...Moved into the starting rotation for his final five appearances...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 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.
2018
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.
2017
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.
2016
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.
2015
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.
