The lefthander dominated Michigan on Sunday with five no-hit, shutout innings. He racked up 10 strikeouts and walked just one. Molina has noticeably added some strength/weight in his back, shoulders and trunk since the USA Collegiate National Team Trials last summer. He repeated a starter-type delivery; long and loose in back with good direction and extension out front. He challenged in the zone with all four of his pitches, locating an 86-91 mph fastball that touched 92 (2,100-2,300 rpm) to all areas of the zone. Showing good carry to the catcher’s mitt his fastball lived in the 20 to 22-inch IVB range down in the zone and he showed plus hop at the letters. His velo dipped a bit to 86-88 in the third inning, but it was back to 89-90 in the fourth. Molina also mixed an above-average 81-84 mph (1,850-2,050 rpm) fading changeup, a sharp 75-76 curveball (2,600s rpm) and a 79-82 slider (2,400s) for strikes. He sold the changeup well with good arm speed for some swing/miss, but it was mainly effective as a soft-contact inducer. Molina profiles as a back-end starter and he will likely be considered early on Day Two.
7/01/23
USA CNT:Another 2024 draft-eligible lefty who is much better than he showed during the trials (2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 SO) is former Texas Tech Red Raider Mason Molina. The long arm-actioned lefty entered the transfer portal shortly after the trials, where he showed an upper-80s fastball, a mid-70s breaking ball and a 79-81 changeup with some fade. He appeared tired, showing below average arm speed and struggled throughout his 51-pitch appearance.
3/20/22
Struck out eight in five innings of work. The 6-foot, 225-pound freshman left-hander showed advanced pitchability, moving his 89-91 mph fastball around the edges of the strike zone while mixing a near average curveball, a usable low-80s changeup and flashed a pair of sliders. His curve showed good shape and depth, ranging from 73-76 mph at 2600 rpm, while his slider showed more cutter shape/action at 80-82.
10/24/20
Positional Profile: LHP Pro level pitcher with spin rates to back it up. Body: 6-2, 205-pounds. Delivery: Quick delivery, keeps body tight and leg kick close to body, repeatable throughout, average extension, good balance, glove side gets wild, overall good feel for pitching. Arm Action: LH. Arm works quickly, ball explodes out of the hand, some deceleration on offspeed. FB: T89, 86-88 mph. Plus-fastball spin rate at the MLB level 2574 (max) 2446 (avg). CB: 70-74 mph. Plus-curveball spin rate at the MLB level 2714 (max) 2524 (avg). CH: 74 mph. Changeup spin rate right at the MLB average 1762 (max/avg). Developmental pitch that will make the difference between whether he is a starter or reliever at the pro level.
Draft Reports
Contact
Premium Content Area
To unlock contact information, you need to purchase a ScoutPLUS subscription.
USA CNT: Another 2024 draft-eligible lefty who is much better than he showed during the trials (2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 SO) is former Texas Tech Red Raider Mason Molina. The long arm-actioned lefty entered the transfer portal shortly after the trials, where he showed an upper-80s fastball, a mid-70s breaking ball and a 79-81 changeup with some fade. He appeared tired, showing below average arm speed and struggled throughout his 51-pitch appearance.
Struck out eight in five innings of work. The 6-foot, 225-pound freshman left-hander showed advanced pitchability, moving his 89-91 mph fastball around the edges of the strike zone while mixing a near average curveball, a usable low-80s changeup and flashed a pair of sliders. His curve showed good shape and depth, ranging from 73-76 mph at 2600 rpm, while his slider showed more cutter shape/action at 80-82.
Positional Profile: LHP Pro level pitcher with spin rates to back it up.
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds.
Delivery: Quick delivery, keeps body tight and leg kick close to body, repeatable throughout, average extension, good balance, glove side gets wild, overall good feel for pitching.
Arm Action: LH. Arm works quickly, ball explodes out of the hand, some deceleration on offspeed.
FB: T89, 86-88 mph. Plus-fastball spin rate at the MLB level 2574 (max) 2446 (avg).
CB: 70-74 mph. Plus-curveball spin rate at the MLB level 2714 (max) 2524 (avg).
CH: 74 mph. Changeup spin rate right at the MLB average 1762 (max/avg). Developmental pitch that will make the difference between whether he is a starter or reliever at the pro level.