Phillies sign former Twins Triple-A catcher Mark Kolozsvary to minor league deal
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed former Twins Triple-A catcher Mark Kolozsvary to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring camp, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon.
On June 20, 2023, Kolozsvary, 30, signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins less than one week after being designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. He ended up appearing in just six games with the Twins organization, going 3-for-14 with one home run, one double, one walk and four RBI with Triple-A St. Paul. He spent most of his time with the Twins organization on the Development List, and he elected free agency after the season ended.
Kolozsvary has appeared in 11 MLB games in his career. In 10 games with the Cincinnati Reds in 2022, the catcher went 4-for-20 with one homer, two doubles, one walk and three RBI. He appeared in one game with the Baltimore Orioles in 2023, but didn't have any plate appearances.
The Reds drafted Kolozsvary in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida. He stayed with the Reds organization until the Baltimore Orioles claimed him off waivers on October 14, 2022. After his stint with the Twins, Kolozsvary signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox in the 2023-24 offseason. He re-signed with Boston on another minor league deal during the following offseason.
Kolozsvary, who has two minor league options remaining, is known to be a strong defensive catcher. However, he has struggled significantly at the plate in Triple-A, slashing .194/.309/.338 in 407 career plate appearances. His defense is the main reason he keeps finding organizations to sign with.
Long-time Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is currently a free agent, making Garrett Stubbs and Rafel Marchan the only Phillies catchers besides Kolozsvary with MLB experience. The Phillies could bring Realmuto back, and if not, they'll likely add a different established catcher via free agency or the trade market. If they don't, Kolozsvary has a decent shot at becoming the Phillies' backup catcher next year. However, most signs indicate that he will primarily be a Triple-A catcher with Philadelphia.