Blue Jays' Cody Ponce makes MLB's 'must-watch' list this spring

The Toronto Blue Jays came off a World Series appearance last season, but are making it their mission to be World Series contenders for the 2026 season as well. 

They were one of the most aggressive teams over the winter break, coming to terms with multiple players they believe will be key contributors. The front office looked to bolster the starting rotation, coming to terms with Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. 

Most baseball fans are familiar with Cease, but some may not be with Ponce. Ponce has spent the last few years pitching internationally, in both Japan and Korea. 

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Blue Jays' Cody Ponce makes MLB's 'must-watch' list this spring

Ponce was a monster in the KBO last season. He put together a 17-1 record, winning the Choi Dong Award, was a KBO All-Star, and was the KBO MVP. 

So, it seems that Ponce has reestablished himself and could be a great middle-of-the-road starter for Toronto. 

Despite bringing in Cease, MLB.com's David Adler tags Ponce as a 'must-watch' pitcher during Spring Training. 

"But maybe the most intriguing arm at Blue Jays camp will be Ponce, who hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2021 but is returning this year after dominating in Korea. The 31-year-old Ponce remade himself as a pitcher in the KBO League, adding several ticks to his fastball and developing a wipeout splitter. He just set the KBO single-season strikeout record and single-game strikeout record. What will he do in his second chance in MLB?"

Adler is intrigued by what Ponce can do in this rotation. He is a completely different pitcher than he was when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

On top of that, he does not have the pressure to perform as an ace like some of the other pitchers on this list. Cease will take care of that for Toronto; they just need him to go deep into games and give his squad a chance, and Toronto will get its money's worth.

More MLB news:

• MLB analyst spotlights Reds' Chase Burns as one to watch in Spring Training
• Astros' Tatsuya Imai headlines a list of 'must-watch' pitchers in Spring Training
• Mets' top pitching prospect tagged as one player to pay attention to this spring
• Cardinals' ambidextrous pitcher makes MLB's 'must-watch' list this spring
• MLB analyst tags Pirates' Bubba Chandler as one to pay attention to this spring