Hudson began his pro career as a sixth-round pick for the Reds in the 2012 draft, and his MLB career consisted of 19 games over parts of four seasons. The catcher suited up for the Angels, Cardinals and Mariners during the 2018-2020 seasons, and after three full years in the minors, Hudson returned to the Show for a single appearance with the Mets during the 2024 campaign. During Hudson’s 33 plate appearances, he hit .167/.219/.200 with one double and one RBI.
In addition to the four teams Hudson played with at the Major League level, he played for several other organizations in the minors, including the 2022 season he spent with the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate in Durham. It’s fair to assume that Hudson made a good impression on Rays officials during that season, resulting in this new role now that Hudson has decided to put the cleats aside at the age of 34.
Sulser never played for Tampa during his 12 professional seasons, although there is a family connection through his older brother Colewho is in his second stint in a Rays uniform. Beau was a 10th-round pick for the Pirates in the 2017 draft, and the right-hander spent most of his career with Pittsburgh during four different stints with the organization.
Sulser’s only taste of the majors came in 2022, when he threw 22 1/3 innings over 10 appearances with the Pirates and Orioles. Sulser had a 3.63 ERA over that cup of coffee in the Show, as well as a 4.47 ERA over 485 1/3 innings in the affiliated minor leagues. The 31-year-old’s career also includes three stops overseas, as Sulser pitched in the Australian Baseball League (in 2020), the KBO League (in 2023) and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (last season).
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