News - Phillies Improve Catching Roster by Signing Mark Kolozsvary

In an effort to reinforce their catching depth, the Philadelphia Phillies have inked a deal with catcher Mark Kolozsvary, as reported by The Athletic. The contract provides Kolozsvary an opportunity to attend the major league spring training camp. Kolozsvary, although having limited MLB exposure with only 11 games and none since 2023, brings much-needed experience to the Phillies' catching roster which currently relies on specific veterans like Rafael Marchan and Garrett Stubbs—both with minimal major league credentials. With J.T. Realmuto, a critical player, still in free agency limbo, the Phillies needed to secure additional catching options to compete in Spring Training irrespective of Realmuto's eventual decision. Kolozsvary, originally selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2017 draft's seventh round, briefly showcased his skills in 2022 with them, featuring in 10 games with 21 plate appearances. His journey saw him taken off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles post-2022, where he made a cameo appearance before moving on to the Twins and subsequently spending time in the Red Sox's farm system from 2024-25. Throughout his career, Kolozsvary has maintained a reputation as a stellar defensive catcher despite a lackluster offensive record of .194/.309/.338 across Triple-A games, alongside an even slimmer .200/.238/.450 in major league appearances. Significantly, Kolozsvary's two remaining minor league options offer strategic flexibility, contrasting with Marchan and Stubbs who are out of options. Despite the Phillies settling salary terms with Marchan and Stubbs for the 2026 season, including a split contract for Stubbs, Kolozsvary's presence provides a competitive edge, potentially allowing him to eclipse Stubbs as the primary backup. Nonetheless, the team's final catcher lineup remains deciduous until Realmuto's contract situation resolves.