Ponce prepared for spring after ‘whirlwind’ offseason

If it seems like Cody Ponce's time since joining the Pirates' organization has been a whirlwind, it's because it has.

Since joining the organization in July after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers for Jordan Lyles, the right-handed Ponce has seen time with Double-A Altoona, Triple-A Indy as well as the Arizona Fall League and Team USA.

"It was a whirlwind for the first couple weeks," Ponce said Saturday at PiratesFest. "It's getting acclimated, understanding who your teammates are now and how to become not just a teammate, but a friend and a brother and be able to create a relationship not just on the field, but off the field."

That whirlwind took him well into the offseason and led…