Kolozsvary has played just 11 Major League games, and none since the 2023 season. Rafael Marchan And Garrett Stubbs are the only other catchers in the Phillies organization with any major league playing time, so the 30-year-old Kolozsvary adds some experience to the depth chart. JT RealmutoThe continued presence of free agency remains the biggest question hanging over the Phillies’ catching situation, but considering Marchan and Stubbs haven’t shown much at the MLB level either, adding a new catcher to the Spring Training backup league was likely on the Phils’ to-do list with or without Realmuto back in the fold.
A seventh-round pick for the Reds in the 2017 draft, Kolozsvary’s time with his original team culminated in 10 MLB games and 21 plate appearances during the 2022 season. The Orioles claimed Kolozsvary off waivers from Cincinnati after the 2022 campaign, and Kolozsvary ultimately made one appearance as a late-game defensive sub during a brief stay on Baltimore’s active roster in June 2023. The O’s designated him for assignment shortly thereafter and Kolozsvary went on to work with the Twins on a minor league deal, then spent the 2024-2025 seasons playing on the Red Sox farm. system.
Kolozsvary has a reputation as a very solid defensive catcher, which has helped him extend his career despite a modest .194/.309/.338 slash line over 407 plate appearances at the Triple-A level (never mind his .200/.238/.450 slash in the small sample size of his 21 PA with the Reds).
Kolozsvary has two minor league options remaining, which is a notable detail as both Marchan and Stubbs are out of options. Although the Phillies avoided arbitration with Marchan and Stubbs by giving them guaranteed salaries for the 2026 season, neither contract is expensive and Stubbs’ deal is a split contract. This opens the door for Kolozsvary to potentially replace Stubbs as the top depth catcher, although the Phillies’ catching mix remains fluid as long as Realmuto remains unsigned.
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