Blue Jays starter Cody Ponce shares his thoughts on coming to Toronto
Photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays - x.com
Newly acquired Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce can't wait to get started with his new team.
When the Blue Jays signed Cody Ponce to a three-year. $30 million dollar contract, they knew exactly what they were getting 31-year old Pomona CA native.
Ponce joined Jarred Carribis on the Baseball Is Dead Podcast, to discuss what it means to be with the Blue Jays and what others have told him about Toronto.
"I get to be part of this organization who just went to the World Series, who was just one pitch short from winning it all. Literally one pitch. I was like, I want to be a part of that, I want to be a part of this organization. I did some phone calls, I asked around and one of my best buddies said...Dude, Toronto, hands down best family, best team, and best organization. He was like I had the best time when I was with them. That also meant a lot especially now having a daughter. I want my family to be taken care of".
Ponce dominated the KBO in 2025 winning the leagues MVP Award
Ponce went 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings (12.6 K/9) for the Hanwha Eagles last season.
Ponce's 252 K's set a new KBO single-season record, and he also set the single-game record with 18 strikeouts on May 17.
Ponce was named the KBO League MVP and won the Choi Dong-won Award as the league's top starting pitcher.
Cody Ponce grew up a fan of Hyun Jin Ryu and played with him on the Hanwha Eagles this season. Ponce surpassed many of his records in 2025.
Free Agent Cody Ponce setting a KBO record with 18 strikeouts in a 9 inning game. His teammate Hyun Jin Ryu had the previous record with 17. 157 KMH = 97.5 MPH
At this years KBO All-Star game, Ponce wore a Hyun-Jin Ryu Toronto Blue Jays jersey to honor his teammate and friend.
Cody Ponce grew up a fan of Hyun Jin Ryu and played with him with the Hanwha Eagles. He wore Ryu's Blue Jays jersey at the KBO All-Star Game
Multiple pitchers over the last few years have successfully returned to the Major Leagues after pitching in Korea or Japan.
Recent examples include Erick Fedde (KBO to the White Sox in 2024), Nick Martinez (NPB to the Padres in 2022), Merrill Kelly (KBO to the D-backs in 2019) and Miles Mikolas (NPB to the Cardinals in 2018).
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 139 ANSWERS Blue Jays starter Cody Ponce shares his thoughts on coming to Toronto Do you think Cody Ponce is the real deal? | ||
| Yes | 98 | 70.5 % |
| No | 8 | 5.8 % |
| Too early to tell | 33 | 23.7 % |
| List of polls | ||