In a stunning career reversal, pitcher Cody Ponce has secured a three-year, $30-million US contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a deal made possible by a transformative season in Korea and guidance from an unlikely duo: a former Jays all-star and an NFL superstar.
From Career Crossroads to KBO MVP
A year ago, Cody Ponce faced a critical decision. His Major League Baseball prospects seemed dim after posting a 1-7 record and a 5.86 ERA over parts of two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 31-year-old and his wife debated moving from Japan to Korea or returning to North America for independent league ball, a last-ditch effort to revive his big-league dream.
They chose to stay in Asia, a decision that altered his career trajectory. Ponce joined the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and dominated the league. His remarkable 2025 season featured 252 strikeouts and a microscopic 1.89 ERA, culminating in KBO MVP honours and making him a highly sought-after free agent.
The Ryu Factor: A Mentor in Korea
A key influence during his time in Korea was his teammate, former Toronto Blue Jays starter Hyun-Jin Ryu. Ponce described Ryu, who pitched for Toronto from 2020 to 2023, as a "big brother" who treated him with immense respect.
"He treated me like a little brother, which is fine when you have a guy who has 10 years in the big leagues and then you have a guy like me, who has been up and down," Ponce said during an introductory video conference with Toronto media. "He treated me with honour and respect that I’ll never forget."
Ryu's mentorship extended beyond camaraderie. He worked with Ponce on pitching strategy, encouraging him to broaden his approach. "(Ryu) allowed me to kind of understand that you don't always have to throw your 0-2 curve ball in an 0-2 count," Ponce explained. "The versatility of pitches allowed me to broaden my spectrum."
An NFL All-Pro's Mindset: Finding Joy Again
The transformation wasn't solely about baseball technique. Ponce credits his brother-in-law, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, with helping him rediscover the joy of competition. Watching Kittle's animated, passionate playstyle was a revelation.
"He helped me bring out my inner child again," Ponce stated. "That was something I felt was lacking for the two years prior while I was in Japan." He admired how Kittle could play a physically intense game like football with both ferocity and fun, a balance Ponce sought to emulate on the mound.
This shift in mindset was paired with a physical one. Ponce deliberately bulked up, adding 30 pounds to reach 255 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame. The added muscle translated directly to his performance, boosting his fastball velocity into the 95-96 mph range.
Why Toronto? The Allure of Winning
While the lucrative contract was a life-changing reward for his perseverance, Ponce was drawn to the Blue Jays by the organization's competitive direction. His goal aligns squarely with the team's aspirations.
"I want to win baseball games. I want to win a World Series," Ponce said, referencing his impressive 17-1 record in Korea. "So anything that I can do to be the best help that I can to this team, that’s what I’m going to do."
He admitted there were moments of doubt, even joking about becoming a professional golfer, but he never surrendered his MLB dream. "I never wanted to give up the dream of coming back to play Major League Baseball," he affirmed. His spectacular season in Korea turned that dream into a reality, culminating in a major deal with a contending team and completing one of baseball's most unexpected career comebacks.
