Former Reds catcher Mark Kolozsvary secures minor-league deal with this AL East team
Former Cincinnati Reds backstop Mark Kolozsvary has a new home after spending the 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles.
Mark Kolozsvary was, at one time, highly-thought of in the Cincinnati Reds farm system. A seventh-round draft pick of the Reds in 2017, Kolozsvary was lauded for his defense behind the dish.
The former Florida Gator made it to the big leagues in 2022. After seeing Cincinnati's catchers absolutely decimated by injury that season, the Reds decided to give Kolozsvary a chance to shine.
Kolozsvary was able to get into 10 games as a rookie in 2022 and hit just .200/.238/.400 while recording just two hits. However, one of those went over the fence. In a start against the St. Louis Cardinals in mid-July, Kolozsvary hit his first round-tripper over the left field wall off Junior Fernandez.
Former Reds catcher Mark Kolozsvary secures minor-league deal with Red Sox
Mark Kolozsvary will be headed to Florida next spring after signing a minor-league deal with the Boston Red Sox. Kolozsvary, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, received an invite to Red Sox spring training as part of the signing.
Kolozsvary was able to get into just one game in 2023. The backstop worked one game as a defensive replacement for the Baltimore Orioles. Kolozsvary spent part of last season with the Orioles organization, but was later picked up by the Minnesota Twins.
Mark Kolozsvary will have an uphill battle to be part of the Red Sox Opening Day roster next season. Boston's 40-man roster currently consists of catchers Reese McGuire and Connor Wong. Kolozsvary, at the moment, will be the only non-roster invitee behind the plate.
The Cincinnati Reds have three catchers on their own 40-man roster. Tyler Stephenson is expected to get the majority of starts, while Luke Maile will backup the former first-round pick in 2024. Austin Wynns was just signed to a split-contract this past week to add some depth to Cincinnati's minor leagues.