Education
Ponce graduated from Damien High School in Louisiana Verne, California.
Ponce graduated from Damien High School in Louisiana Verne, California.
He played college baseball for the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos. He enrolled at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, to play college baseball for the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos. Considered a possible first round draft pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, Ponce would have become the second Division II player to be chosen in the first round of the MLB Draft.
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Ponce in the second round, with the 55th overall selection.
Ponce signed with the Brewers, receiving a $1,108,000 signing bonus, the full slot value assigned to the pick. He reported to the Helena Brewers of the Rookie-level Pioneer League to make his professional debut.
The Brewers then promoted Ponce to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Class A Midwest League.