POMONA, Calif. - With the 55th overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Cal Poly Pomona ace Cody Ponce on Monday evening.
 
His selection in the second round made the Upland native the second-highest draft pick in the history of CPP baseball. During the five-year tenure of Broncos' head coach Randy Betten, Ponce is the sixth student-athlete to be selected in the MLB Draft.


"I am so blessed to have such amazing support from my friends and family," said Ponce. "I am extremely grateful that the Brewers have given me a chance to make my dream a reality!"  

He is one of five Broncos to be selected in the 2015 Draft as he is joined by Christian Kelley, Kyle Garlick, Richie McWilliams, and Chris Powell. Five members of the CPP team getting selected marks the highest total since 1985, and ten total for coach Betten. 

The @Brewers select @Cody_Ponce48 with the 55th overall pick in @MLBDraft! #WeAreCPP @calpolypomona pic.twitter.com/R3khhJWMR6

— Cal Poly Pomona Athl (@cppbroncos) June 9, 2015

 
"I'm so happy for Cody and his family," Betten said. "All of his hard work has paid off and his selection is definitely well deserved."
 
The righty ended his junior season in Green and Gold with a team leading 1.44 earned run average. Ponce's ERA led the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) as well, despite falling just 0.2 innings short of the minimum number for the conference leaderboard.
 
Through 62.1 innings pitched in 2015, the 6-foot-5 starter racked up a total of 67 strikeouts and allowed just seven extra base hits through 257 batters faced.
 
In his career as a Bronco, Ponce steadily improved and maintained a 2.42 ERA. Through his three years, he tallied 14 wins and 162 strikeouts. He also finished with seven saves, which lands him at No. 2 on the Broncos' all-time save list.
 
He rounded out the 2015 season with a team-high three complete games and averaged 5.2 strikeouts per appearance. Ponce was named to the All-West Region Second Team and the All-CCAA Second Team.

Once signed, Ponce will likely enter one of the following Brewers affiliates: Helena Brewers (Rookie), AZL Brewers (Rookie), Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A), and Brevard County Manatees (A-Advanced).