The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Kolek in the 11th round,with the 344th overall selection,of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He spent his first professional season with the rookie–level Ogden Raptors and Single–A Great Lakes Loons,accumulating a 1.42 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 17 contests.[4] Kolek returned to Great Lakes in 2019,going 7–8 with a 5.00 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 27 games (25 starts).[5] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Seattle Mariners
On April 28,2021,the Dodgers traded Kolek to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.[7] He split the year between the Single–A Modesto Nuts,High–A Everett AquaSox,and Double–A Arkansas Travelers. In 24 combined appearances,Kolek struggled to a 6.03 ERA with 67 strikeouts across 59+2⁄3 innings pitched.[8] In 2022, he made 27 starts for Arkansas, registering a 6–13 record and 4.51 ERA with 138 strikeouts across 143+2⁄3 innings of work.[9] In 2023, Kolek made five scoreless appearances for Arkansas before being promoted to the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, where he spent the remainder of the year. In 44 appearances for Tacoma, he recorded a 4.23 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 4 saves across 61+2⁄3 innings pitched.[10]
San Diego Padres
On December 6, 2023, the San Diego Padres selected Kolek from the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft.[11] On March 19, 2024, the Padres announced that Kolek made their Opening Day roster.[12] In 42 appearances out of the bullpen, he compiled a 5.21 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 46+2⁄3 innings pitched. Kolek was placed on the injured list with right forearm tendinitis on July 31.[13] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 1, officially ending his season.[14] Kolek was optioned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas to begin the 2025 season.[15]
In early May, Kolek was recalled to the major league team, this time to serve as a starter.[16] He tossed 5+1⁄3 scoreless innings in his May 4 season debut, allowing four hits and striking out four as he earned the win.[17] His second career start, on May 10, was a complete-game shutout. Kolek tied a Modern Era-record for the largest margin in an individual shutout, as San Diego scored 21 against the Rockies.[18]
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