"Wow." The MVP from Hanwha is perfect for 3 innings against ML! Ponce, you're gonna break through the all-time competition to become the third starter

*This content was translated by AI.

Cody Ponce (32, Toronto Blue Jays) from Hanwha Eagles is scary in the early stages.

Ponce started in an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida on the 9th (Korea time) and pitched a scoreless perfect pitching in which he only struck out one strikeout in three innings without walking and hitting.

Toronto won a 1-0 victory over Baltimore with Ponce's perfect pitching. By far the best was Toronto starter Ponce's pitch. Ponce overwhelmed Baltimore's batters from the start. In the first inning, Colton Kauser, Taylor Wood and Pete Alonso were turned into bums. Ponce, who consumed 15 pitches in the first inning, gained momentum with an efficient pitch in the second inning. Both Samuel Basalo and Dylan Beaver were grounded out on first pitches, and in the second inning, they were blocked with 10 balls.

The first strikeout came in the third inning. With one out, he persistently induced Western Wilson to swing and miss with a high fastball. After making 2B2S, he dropped the cutter low outside to draw a foul tip strikeout. He was then replaced by Mason Fluhrty and finished the game.

On the day, Ponce threw a total of 36 pitches to make 25 strikes. He threw 17 fastball, nine cutters, six sliders, two curves, and two splitters to draw four swings and misses. It has a maximum speed of 95.5 miles per hour (about 153.7 kilometers). As a result, Ponce's exhibition game record was 1.50 ERA with one win and no loss in three games and five strikeouts with no outs in six innings. It is a positive start compared to the competitors.

Ponce won the KBO MVP last year with 17 wins and 1 loss with a 1.89 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 180 ⅔ innings in 29 regular season games. Based on the achievements, he signed a three-year, $30 million contract with Toronto and succeeded in returning to the big league.

A tough competition was expected despite the return of gold. With the addition of Dylan Shees and Ponce to the existing starting lineup including Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassit, Jose Berrios, Eric Lauer, Max Scherzer, and Trey Yessevidge, the starting resources have become eight.

As a result, Ponce was expected to compete for the fifth starter despite a considerable ransom of $30 million. In the American media FanGraphs, Ponce's position was second only to Gausman, Seese, Yessebidge and Berrios.

However, if you look at the beginning of the exhibition game, you will be able to start third. With Grant Rogers and Fernando Perez receiving a wide range of starting opportunities in addition to the existing starters, Ponce has the lowest ERA after Gausman, who has four scoreless innings, and Scherzer, who has four scoreless innings.

In fact, unlike Gausman and Seas, which are relatively well-established, Verios is gradually on the decline. Lauer is also disappointed with a 7.20 ERA in three exhibition games.

Ponce was also praised for his attitude during the game. On this day, Ponce fell when his landing foot collapsed after one out in the third inning. Toronto trainers rushed out in a suspected right ankle injury, but Ponce struck out for the first time after several warmups.

Blue Jays Insider, who broke the news, said, "Ponce's unwavering toughness deeply inspires the entire clubhouse. Everyone was relieved that the player he recruited in the offseason was healthy and ready to dominate the game," he said.

"Shortly after the injury delay, Ponce completely crushed the opposing lineup with a strong cutter and kick changeup. "The way he pitched despite the inconvenience proved exactly why the Toronto club confidently gave him a large contract," he praised.

Coaches really like Ponce, who fights fiercely even when things don't go as planned. Having a durable and experienced veteran lead the team provides a perfect role model to follow for young pitching prospects. When the regular season begins in earnest, Ponce's amazing resilience will be a scary weapon for his rivals.

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*This content was translated by AI.