How Cody Ponce fits on the Blue Jays' roster

"Ponce added velocity and added a new pitch to his arsenal during his time with the KBO's Hanhwa Eagles this past season. The right-hander's average velocity was around 93 with the Pirates, but he managed to pull it up to 97.5 mph at its highest. With his newfound velocity and new kick change in his pitch mix, Ponce yielded a 1.83 ERA, 2.15 FIP and .94 WHIP in 180 2/3 innings pitched last season."

"The best way to deploy Ponce, from the Blue Jays' perspective, would be in the starting rotation. Technically speaking, Toronto has more than enough pitchers in the rotation already with José Berríos, Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage. This would mean that Ponce doesn't have a position as a starter in this stacked roster, but that's only if all five starters can offer consistency and a solid number of innings."

"For now, there are many question marks on the Blue Jays' rotation. As Sportnet's Chris Black mentioned, Berríos and Bieber both have uncertain futures with their health, while Yesavage may have an innings limit as a rookie who only made his debut this past season. This level of uncertainty naturally leaves an opening for Ponce to fill in, which would be what the former KBO pitcher would be aiming for as he eyes his return to MLB."

Toronto signed Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million deal to bolster pitching depth after adding Dylan Cease. Ponce increased velocity and added a kick change with the KBO's Hanhwa Eagles, elevating his fastball from about 93 mph to as high as 97.5 mph. He posted a 1.83 ERA, 2.15 FIP and .94 WHIP over 180 2/3 innings and won the KBO MVP (Choi Dong-Won Award). The Blue Jays' rotation includes José Berríos, Shane Bieber, Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage, but health concerns and innings limits create openings that Ponce could fill, most naturally as a starter.

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