Brewers predicted to reunite with their former second-round pick this offseason

Back in 2015, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted 6'6" right-handed pitcher Cody Ponce 55th overall out of Cal Poly Pomona. Four years later, they traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jordan Lyles. Ponce went on to make his MLB debut in 2020, appeared in 15 big league games in 2021, and then headed overseas in 2022, where he has been ever since.

Ponce spent three seasons (2022–2024) in Japan’s Pacific League before joining the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) for the 2025 season, where he quickly became a star. This year, he captured the pitching Triple Crown with 17 wins, a 1.89 ERA, and 252 strikeouts, setting a new KBO single-season record for strikeouts. He also notched a career-best 18-strikeout performance in one game, further cementing his dominance on the mound.

Ponce’s impressive performance last season has caught the attention of several MLB teams, making him a notable name to watch in free agency this winter. The right-hander has also expressed interest in returning, potentially following a similar path of resurgence as Erick Fedde and Kyle Hart. Fedde secured a two-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago White Sox in 2023, while Hart landed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the San Diego Padres last offseason.

Milwaukee Brewers predicted to reunite with Cody Ponce this offseason

MLB Trade Rumors writer Darragh McDonald projected Ponce to sign with Milwaukee this offseason on a two-year, $22 million deal. That price tag reflects confidence that Ponce’s arsenal will translate effectively back to the majors. Since 2022, his fastball velocity has climbed into the 94–98 mph range, complemented by strong swing-and-miss offerings in his cutter, changeup, and curveball, a combination that makes him an intriguing target for teams seeking rotation help.

How Ponce’s market shapes up this winter will be interesting to watch. In recent years, KBO standouts have commanded a wide range of contract values, and with Ponce entering his age-32 season, a lengthy long-term deal seems unlikely.

However, a shorter-term deal that provides immediate security and potential long-term upside remains a realistic option. For a Brewers team that could use some more experience in their rotation next season, Ponce makes a lot of sense, especially if McDonald's contract projection falls on the high side.