Cody Ponce

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE

2015
R+:  0-0-0, 3.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 7.2 K/9
A:  2-1-3, 2.15 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 46.0 IP, 1.8 BB/9, 7.0 K/9

The Brewers sent Ponce initially to advanced rookie ball, but after two appearances he moved up to full season ball.  Splitting his time between starting and relief, he got good results, showing strong control, although his K rate wasn’t great.  Baseball America rated him the Brewers’ ninth best prospect after the season.

2016
A+:  2-8-0, 5.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 72.0 IP, 2.1 BB/9, 8.6 K/9

Despite moving to the pitching-dominated Florida State League, Ponce had a rough time.  He missed the first two months with arm trouble and never caught up.  BA still rated him 16th in the system.

2017
A+:  8-8-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 120.0 IP, 1.9 BB/9, 7.1 K/9
AA:  2-1-0, 1.53 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 17.2 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 4.6 K/9

The Brewers sent Ponce back to high A, although this time their affiliate was in the Carolina League.  He had a better season, but not as good as the ERA indicates; nearly a third of the runs he allowed were unearned.  He made three starts in AA at the end of the season.  BA ranked him 18th in the system.

2018
AA:  7-6-0, 4.36 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 95.0 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 8.3 K/9

Ponce spent the entire season in AA, initially as a starter but eventually moving to relief.  He got only decent results, with opponents posting a .712 OPS against him.  BA rated him 27th in Milwaukee’s system after the season.  He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft but was not selected.

2019
AA (Mil):  1-3-1, 3.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 38.1 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 10.3 K/9
AA:  0-0-1, 6.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 6.0 IP, 1.5 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
AAA:  1-3-0, 5.30 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 18.2 IP, 3.4 BB/9, 9.6 K/9

Ponce went back to AA and pitched entirely in relief.  He made improvements, especially with his K rate, and opponents had a .632 OPS against him.  The Brewers traded him to the Pirates at the deadline, who initially sent him to Altoona.  He made two relief appearances there, then moved to the rotation and, after one start, moved up to Indianapolis.  He made four starts there, pitching poorly in three of them.  On the whole season he significantly increased his K rate.

The Pirates’ decision to move Ponce to starting was curious, given that he hasn’t shown much promise as a starter.  Whether a new front office will use him as a starter or reliever, though, remains to be seen.  They did add him to the 40-man roster.