Introduction
Cody Ponce is a right-handed pitcher whose baseball journey has taken him across the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Once a struggling arm in Major League Baseball (MLB), he reinvented himself overseas — and now, after a dominant season in the KBO League, he’s returning to MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays. This article explores his career path, performance stats, age and personal life.
Early Life and Background
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Cody Ponce was born on April 25, 1994, in Pomona, California.
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He attended college at Cal Poly Pomona, where he played college baseball before being drafted.
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In the 2015 MLB Draft, he was selected in the 2nd round by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Physically, Ponce is imposing — listed at 6′6″ (198 cm) and around 255 lb (115 kg).
MLB Beginnings — Pirates & Early Struggles
Trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates
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In 2019, the Brewers traded Ponce to the Pirates in exchange for pitcher Jordan Lyles.
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After spending time in minor leagues, he was added to the Pirates’ 40-man roster.
MLB Debut & Performance
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Ponce made his major-league debut on August 2, 2020.
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Over parts of 2020–2021, he pitched 55.1 innings for Pittsburgh.
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His MLB statline: Win–loss: 1–7, ERA: 5.86, Strikeouts: 48.
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Due to limited success and inconsistency, his MLB career stalled and he was released to explore opportunities abroad.
Overseas Chapters — Japan (NPB) & Road to Redemption
After leaving MLB, Ponce moved to Asia to continue his professional career:
Japan — NPB Stint
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He signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to play in Japan’s NPB.
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On August 27, 2022, Ponce threw a no-hitter in NPB — a rare feat for foreign-born pitchers.
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Despite flashes of excellence, his NPB tenure was mixed; his final season before leaving Japan saw a 4.54 ERA.
His NPB experience was important — it kept him pitching professionally, refining his mechanics, and staying competitive, even if success was uneven.
Breakout in Korea — KBO Success & Recognition
When many expected Ponce’s professional career to be winding down, he took a different path — and it paid off dramatically.
Joining the Hanwha Eagles
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In late 2024, he signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League.
Historic 2025 Season
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In the 2025 season, Ponce posted a 17–1 win-loss record, an ERA of 1.89, and racked up 252 strikeouts in 180⅔ innings.
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He set the KBO single-season strikeout record and also broke the record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game (18).
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His fastball velocity jumped — reportedly reaching 94–97 mph, a marked increase from his earlier years.
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He also added a splitter to his repertoire — a pitch that became a major strikeout weapon.
Awards & Accolades
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For his dominant performance, Ponce was named KBO League MVP and won the league’s equivalent of the Cy Young (Choi Dong-won Award).
His KBO campaign wasn’t just good — it was historic. The numbers and accolades made him impossible to ignore.
Return to MLB — Blue Jays Deal
Thanks to his resurgence in Korea, MLB clubs came knocking again.
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On December 2, 2025, media outlets confirmed Ponce agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
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This contract reportedly makes Ponce the highest-paid pitcher ever to return to MLB from the Korean league.
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The Blue Jays see him as a potential starter, adding depth and options to a rotation that recently added multiple arms.
The move signals both a vote of confidence in Ponce’s transformed abilities and a willingness from MLB clubs to value elite performance even outside North America.
Age, Physical Attributes & Style of Pitching
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As of 2025, Cody Ponce is 31 years old (born April 25, 1994).
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His physical frame makes him a prototypical “tall power-armed” pitcher: 6′6″, 255 lbs.
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The major adjustments to his pitching — increased velocity, addition of a splitter, improved conditioning — have redefined his style. What was once an inconsistent big-league reliever is now a pitcher with starter’s stamina and swing-and-miss stuff.
In Korea, that translated to dominance. The challenge now: seeing if those skills hold up against MLB-level hitters.
Personal Life — Family & More
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Outside the mound, Ponce is married. He is reportedly married to Emma Kittle, sister of NFL player George Kittle — which makes George Kittle his brother-in-law.
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Other than this familial tie, public information about his personal life remains limited — common for many pro athletes who keep private lives discreet.
What Changed? — Why Ponce’s Career Transformed
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Physical Conditioning & Velocity Increase — In Korea, Ponce regained velocity (notably hitting mid-to-high 90s), which made all his pitches more effective.
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New Pitch Arsenal — The introduction of a splitter (a pitch he either rarely used or lacked before) gave him a swing-and-miss secondary weapon.
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Consistency & Workload — Over 180+ innings in 2025, Ponce showed durability and consistency — something he lacked earlier.
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Confidence & Momentum — Success breeds confidence. Once he began dominating in KBO, momentum and psychological boost likely helped sustain performance.
Significance of the Return — What It Means for MLB & Blue Jays
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Ponce’s signing underscores how global baseball has become — MLB teams are increasingly willing to reward performance in foreign leagues, even if a player struggled earlier in North America.
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For the Blue Jays, adding a rejuvenated arm like Ponce gives rotation depth and flexibility — he could be a starter, a long reliever, or a “swingman” depending on how the season goes.
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If Ponce’s KBO success translates, his story could inspire other fringe MLB pitchers to consider playing overseas as a path back to the majors.
In many ways, his journey challenges the narrative that once you “fail” in MLB, that’s it. For some — like Ponce — it’s just a detour.
FAQs — Frequently Asked Questions about Cody Ponce
Q1: How old is Cody Ponce?
A: As of 2025, Cody Ponce is 31 years old (born April 25, 1994).
Q2: What teams has Cody Ponce played for?
A:
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MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates (2020–2021)
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NPB (Japan): Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2022–2024)
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KBO (South Korea): Hanwha Eagles (2025)
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MLB Return: Toronto Blue Jays (from 2025 offseason)
Q3: How did he perform in KBO?
A: He had a historic 2025 season: 17–1 record, 1.89 ERA, 252 strikeouts in 180⅔ innings — setting a KBO single-season strikeout record. He also threw a game with 18 strikeouts (a KBO nine-inning record).
Q4: What is his contract with the Blue Jays?
A: He signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays in December 2025.
Q5: Is Cody Ponce married? Who is his wife?
A: Yes — Ponce is married to Emma Kittle, sister of NFL star George Kittle.
Conclusion
Cody Ponce’s career arc is one of perseverance, adaptability, and reinvention. From being a 2nd-round draft pick to struggling in MLB, to pitching in Japan’s NPB, and then transforming into one of the most dominant starters in the KBO — his journey is a testament to not giving up.
Now, with a lucrative contract from the Toronto Blue Jays, Ponce has earned a second chance at the highest level. Whether he can translate his Asian-league dominance into MLB success remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: he has earned that opportunity the hard way.
