Ponce, are you nervous? Showcase for gathering 23 ML scouts, 3 runs in 5 innings is embarrassing.

Aug 28, 2025

Ponce, are you nervous? Showcase for gathering 23 ML scouts, 3 runs in 5 innings is embarrassing.
The game between Hanwha and Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 28th, Hanwha Ponce struck out Kiwoom Jeon Tae-hyun in the bottom of the fourth inning and is moving after finishing the inning. Gocheok = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.08.28/



It was actually a showcase to advance to the Major League. Hanwha Eagles ace Cody Ponce pitched a little disappointing amid scouts from 11 major league teams.

Ponce started the game against the Kiwoom Heroes in the '2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League' held at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 28th and recorded seven hits (one homer) with two walks and three runs in five innings. Thanks to the lineup's support of eight points, the team had a requirement to win 16 games in the season, but it was a pitch that would not be satisfactory on its own.

Ponce was having such a great season in the KBO League this year. In the previous 24 games, he stood as the league's best ace with 15 wins and no losses, 152 ⅔ innings, 211 strikeouts, and a 1.53 ERA. With multiple wins, strikeouts and No. 1 earned run average. It is no exaggeration to say that Ponce owns more than 60 percent of the shares that make Hanwha a sensation this season.




Scouts from 11 major league teams visited Gocheok Sky Dome to see Ponce. Twenty-three scouts from the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets and Kansas City Royals flocked to see Ponce.

In particular, the Yankees are so active in recruiting Ponce that the Proskow team leader entered Korea on the 27th. The fact that team leader-level personnel move directly means that they are willing to recruit. The Cubs also visited Korea with the team leader of the professional scout team and Detroit with the general manager's assistant.

Is too much attention poisoned. Ponce, who could not be unaware that all Major League scouts were dispatched, had a hard time because his control was shaken early and late than usual. Unlike usual, he seemed to feel pressure on the mound.




Ponce threw a combination of fastballs (53), curves (15), sliders (14), and changeups (17). The maximum fastball speed was 157 kilometers and the average speed was 153 kilometers. He has 70 strikes out of 99 pitches. Overall, aggressive pitching was made, but he struggled as he was hit by Kiwoom hitters' bats.

Ponce, are you nervous? Showcase for gathering 23 ML scouts, 3 runs in 5 innings is embarrassing.
Hanwha starter Ponce is pitching hard in the match between Hanwha and Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 28th. Gocheok = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.08.28/
Ponce, are you nervous? Showcase for gathering 23 ML scouts, 3 runs in 5 innings is embarrassing.
Major League scouts watching Ponce's pitch in a game between Hanwha and Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 28th. Gocheok = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.08.28/
In the bottom of the first inning, Hanwha's batters beat Kiwoom starter Ha Young-min from the top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Ponce allowed Song Sung-moon's walk, Lim Ji-yeol's hit, and Kim Woong-bin's walk after one out, putting him on the verge of loading the bases. Then, he induced a fly ball toward center field to Cardinez, but center fielder Lee Won-seok misjudged the drop point and failed to catch it, making a timely hit to the middle field. 3-1. Ponce overcame the first crisis by striking out Kim Tae-jin and Kim Gun-hee in a row with one out and a bases loaded.

The bottom of the second inning was stable. After one out, Jeon Tae-hyun had a hit to the right, but he stopped the flow by turning Park Joo-hong into a double play to the second baseman.




Ponce was hit by leadoff hitter Song Sung-moon in the bottom of the third inning with a 6-1 lead. Song Sung-moon is an infielder who showed his willingness to challenge the Major League with a posting system while agreeing to a six-year, 12 billion won non-FA multi-year contract with Kiwoom during this season. Song Sung-moon briefly changed Ponce's major league showcase to his stage. Song Sung-moon did not miss the 153km/h fastball when it came in high at the ball count of 1B2S. Ponce allowed his eighth homer of the season. The Hanwha Eagles were chased 6-2.

After allowing a home run, Ponce regained his senses and turned all three batters into misfires. In the bottom of the fourth inning with an 8-2 lead, Kim Tae-jin also had a hit, but he struck out the next three batters in a row.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the ball floated high again, allowing additional points. Ponce received consecutive hits from Park Joo-hong and Song Sung-moon, and sent out Lim Ji-yeol with a pitch, putting him on the verge of loading the bases with no outs. Kim Woong-bin struck out swinging, but third baseman Park Joo-hong scored to make it 8-3 when Cardinez got on base with a ground ball to the third base. Ponce couldn't hide his regret after ending the inning by striking out Kim Tae-jin swinging.

Ponce, who recorded 99 pitches in five innings, could no longer hold out on the mound and was replaced by Kim Jong-soo in the sixth inning.
Ponce, are you nervous? Showcase for gathering 23 ML scouts, 3 runs in 5 innings is embarrassing.
Hanwha Ponce talks with Choi Jae-hoon after the game between Hanwha and Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 28th and pitching in the bottom of the 5th inning. Gocheok = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.08.28/




This article was translated by Naver AI translator.