While talking about the Hanwha Eagles, KT Wiz's opponent in the opening game, KT manager Lee Kang-chul shook his head. It was when the story of starting pitcher Cody Ponce (31) of the Hanwha Eagles came out. "He had great pitching. His form is also pretty. The game was also a no-hitter yesterday (June 16)," Lee said in amazement. How come he called the game so amazing. 메이저놀이터

Ponce, a tall right-handed pitcher measuring 1 meter and 98 centimeters, is a new foreign player for Hanwha this season. The club once introduced him as a powerful pitcher whose average fastball speed exceeds 150 kilometers per hour when he was hired. He also added that he has ball control ability in compliance with various types of pitches. 

It was as expected. Ponce started in a practice game against SSG Landers at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 10th, and threw 63 pitches in four innings, giving up only three hits, with two outs and four strikeouts. Ponce, who boasted an aggressive pitching with a strike rate of 63.5%, turned the SSG lineup around by throwing seven pitches, including four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, cut fastball, curveball, slider, change-up and folk ball, on a heavy fastball of up to 153km/h. 

On the following day, Ponce displayed his best performance in the match against the Changwon NC Dinos. He allowed three outs during five innings, but allowed six strikeouts without a hit, displaying good pitching without allowing a single. His ball speed was also up to 155 kilometers. It was a surprising ball for coach Lee Kang-chul, and it was good enough for him to have high expectations for the new season. 

He excels in character as well as skills and skills. He knows how to enjoy and respect. He plays the role of mood maker inside the dugout and outside the ballpark, but does his best on the mound in a sincere manner.

He also has no big problem in adapting. Many foreign players do not adjust well to Korean culture and struggle to show their skills. For now, Ponce has already experienced Asian baseball. For three seasons, from 2022 to 2024, he played for Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. Although his baseball style is different from that of Korea, he has experienced and adapted to a similar culture. Ponce is proud to have adapted to the culture by having a tattoo related to Japan on one arm. He is rather active in embracing the new culture. He seems to have no problem in adapting. 

He is determined to win the title. Just as Ryu Hyun-jin made great achievements as a "foreign player" in the U.S. Major League, he said, "I want to show good performance as a foreign player" here in the KBO. Along with the victory, he also expressed his will to win, saying, "I want to engrave the big eagle, which symbolizes the Eagles, on my back." "I will do my best to ensure that my team can go to the fall baseball league and become a team that looks forward to winning the championship," he said, clenching his lips.