Hanwha is better than that. Isn't Ponce a big league? → If you want to make money, it may be better to be an ace in Korea. MLB.COM's realistic advice

Nov 06, 2025

The game between the Hanwha Eagles and the LG Twins in Game 5 of the Korean Series at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 31st. Hanwha Ponce, who lost, is leaving the stadium after collecting soil from the mound. Daejeon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.31/

Game 5 of the Korean Series between LG and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 31st. Weiss and Ponce are watching the game. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.10.31/

Do you like it?

MLB.COM, the official website of Major League Baseball, left realistic advice to Cody Ponce. The big league challenge is good, but it may be more comfortable to stay in the KBO league and play as an ace. Hanwha Eagles and fans are rather welcome news.

MLB.COM looked at foreign players in the KBO League on the 5th (Korea time) by highlighting the international FA market. Including Ponce, Drew Anderson (SSG) Lewin Diaz and Ariel Furado (Samsung) were mentioned. In particular, Ponce is certain to return to the Major League. While Hanwha also accepted the breakup as a fait accompli, there was an ambiguous evaluation from the local media.

MLB.COM compared Ponce to Merrill Kelly of Texas. MLB.COM first asks if he did better than Kelly in the field. However, even Kelly raised expectations, saying, 'There is no season that has surpassed the KBO League as much as Ponce.

Kelly played for SK (now SSG) from 2015 to 2018. He went 48-32 with a 3.86 ERA in four seasons. He has a career high of 16 wins, 7 losses and an ERA of 3.60 in 2017. Ponce went 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA this year. Kelly headed to Major League Baseball in 2019. He has 65 wins, 53 losses and a 3.77 ERA in seven major league seasons.

The game between the Hanwha Eagles and the LG Twins in Game 3 of the Korean Series at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 29th. Hanwha starter Ponce, who struck out LG Moon Bo-kyung with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the top of the sixth inning, is roaring. Daejeon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.10.29/

Game 3 of the Korean Series between LG and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 29th. Ponce, who allowed a come-from-behind solo shot to Kim Hyun-soo in the top of the fourth inning, is regretting. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.10.29/

There is no evidence that Ponce will be worse than Kelly in the major leagues when it comes to numbers.

MLB.COM said 'Ponse exposed some ups and downs in the Japanese professional baseball league, but he played the best in KBO league history. He was highly praised for being the No. 1 in ERA strikeouts with multiple wins.

However, he did not erase the question mark on the success of the big league. MLB.COM reported that `Ponce will be able to sign a major league contract as a starting pitcher. Nevertheless, he coolly diagnosed that playing the ace in Korea will make more profits.

It is a reasonable evaluation. If you play in Korea, you don't have to compete. You can enjoy a stable life.

There is no guarantee that Korea is better in terms of revenue. In the KBO League, the annual salary for top foreigners is about 2 million dollars (about 3 billion won). If you receive a starting pitcher contract in the Major League, you will play 10 million dollars (about 14.4 billion won). Major League Trade Rumors (MTR) predicted an annual salary of $15 million (about 21.6 billion won) if Ponce comes to the Major League.

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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.