The Red Sox have signed catcher Mark Kolozsvary to a minor league contract, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reports (via X). The deal contains an invitation to Boston’s big league Spring Training camp.
Kolozsvary’s MLB resume consists of 10 games with the Reds in 2022 and then one game (or, one half-inning as a defensive replacement) with the Orioles this past season. The 28-year-old backstop was designated for assignment and then outrighted shortly after that lone appearance for the O’s, and Kolozsvary landed with the Twins on a minor league deal soon thereafter.
Originally a seventh-round pick for the Reds in the 2017 draft, Kolozsvary hasn’t hit much during his minor league career, and he has only a .174/.282/.301 slash line over 300 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. However, he managed to climb the ladder and reach the majors on the strength of his all-around solid defensive game. It’s the type of skillset that has extended many a catcher’s career, and Kolozsvary will head to Boston’s camp looking to impress either Red Sox brass or perhaps opposing scouts, if he ends up being a late cut.
The Red Sox already have Connor Wong and Reese McGuire lined up as their regular catching tandem, Roberto Perez was signed to a minor league deal earlier in December, and top prospect Kyle Teel could make his MLB debut at some point in 2024. While perhaps somewhat of a crowded situation on paper, teams usually like to have depth in camp at the catcher position, and the Sox will be looking to both continue Teel’s development while also having an acceptable amount of emergency depth on hand at the Triple-A level.