Cal Poly Pomona alum Cody Ponce gets minor league honor

Former Cal Poly Pomona pitcher Cody Ponce got a late start to the season due to some “forearm fatigue.” But Ponce, also a product of Damien High School, has rebounded quite nicely and is having a stellar season.

Ponce, the Brewers’ No. 8 prospect, tossed a pair of scoreless outings last week, lasting 11 innings in total, while striking out 17 and walking none for Class A Advanced Brevard County to capture the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week award.

The award is Ponce’s first as a pro since he was taken in the second round of the 2015 Draft out of Cal Poly Pomona.

“I think it came down to whatever was working that day,” Ponce said. “But really in that sense, it was all [catcher Dustin Houle]. I don’t think I shook him maybe more than once or twice. He was just great behind the dish for two great games. I have to give it up to him. And then I had some great guys behind me making all the plays. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

Ponce’s first gem of the week came last Monday when he fanned five batters and allowed only two hits over five scoreless innings against Dunedin in what had been his longest start of the season up to that point. He one-upped himself five days later by lasting six frames, while fanning a career-high 12 and scattering only three hits. His 17 strikeouts were tied for third-most in the minors for the week of July 4-10 and were more than his dozen strikeouts over his five starts (14 innings) combined.

As impressive as the strikeout numbers were last week, the 6-foot-6 right-hander was happier with his zero in the walks column.

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Cody Ponce officially signs with the Milwaukee Brewers organization

Courtesy of Dave Coggins

Courtesy of Dave Coggins

Cody Ponce of Cal Poly Pomona has officially signed with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
Ponce was taken in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Cal Poly Pomona.

He will begin his professional career as a member of the Helena Brewers, which is a rookie affiliate of the Brewers.

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Cal Poly Pomona’s Cody Ponce selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round

Cody Ponce (Image courtesy of Cal Poly Pomona Athletics)

Cody Ponce (Image courtesy of Cal Poly Pomona Athletics)

Update: Pitcher Cody Ponce was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 13th pick (55th overall) in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft.

“I am very grateful that I get to play baseball at the next level,” Ponce said. “It is an unreal feeling,” he said.” I am pretty much speechless right now.”

Ponce credits those who have stuck by his side, helping him along the way as he reached his latest career milestone.

“I just want to thank my coaches and family for the support they have shown me and helping me get to where I am at today,” he said.

Ponce stated that having his family there meant a lot to him as he found out that he was selected by the Brewers.

“I was just completely embraced by my mother. She has been by my side since day one,” he said. “She has always had 100% faith in me and everything I have done.”

Ponce became the second highest drafted player out of Cal Poly Pomona history and is the sixth player drafted during the five-year tenure of Cal Poly Pomona coach Randy Betten.

The pitcher believes there is still a lot of room to improve on the mound.

“I still need to improve my command of the ball and my four pitches,” he said.

 

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