Néstor Molina

Nestor Alberto Molina

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.

• Born January 9, 1989 in Valencia, Carabobo Venezuela

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Nestor Molina has pitched as high as AAA.

Molina initially signed with the Toronto Blue Jays; the scout was Rafael Moncada. He hit .252/.380/.280 in his pro debut for the VSL Twins/Blue Jays, playing outfield and third base. In 2007, he struggled with the DSL Blue Jays, batting only .208/.354/.278 with 11 steals in 14 tries. He moved to a pitching role in 2008 and was 4-1 with 4 saves and a 0.96 ERA. He split 2009 between the GCL Blue Jays (3-0, Sv, 1.69 in 15 G) and Auburn Doubledays (0-1, 1.59). In 2010, he pitched for the Lansing Lugnuts (8-2, 4 Sv, 3.17, .224 opponent average in 37 G) and the Dunedin Blue Jays (4 R, 1 ER in 4 1/3 IP). He was 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA for the Cardenales de Lara in 2010-2011.

The Valencia native split 2011 between Dunedin (10-3, 2.58, 115 K, 14 BB in 108 1/3 IP) and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (2-0, 0.41, .156 opponent average) to bring his career record to 27-7, 2.21. He led the Jays chain in ERA and would have led the Florida State League if he had qualified (behind Darin Gorski). He was third in the Toronto system in victories, two behind Drew Hutchison and Casey Lawrence. He was named to the FSL All-Star team, joining Gorski, Trevor May and Julio Rodriguez as the starters.

Molina was then dealt to the Chicago White Sox for Sergio Santos. The Sox scouts involved were Daraka Shaheed and Marco Paddy. Baseball America rated him as the #2 White Sox prospect entering 2012 behind Addison Reed and as having the best control of any Sox farmhand.

In 2012, the Venezuelan struggled, going 6-10 with a 4.26 ERA and .312 opponent average for the Birmingham Barons and 0-1 with 9 hits and 6 runs in 4 innings for the Charlotte Knights. He tied for the most losses in the Pale Hose chain and was second with 165 hits allowed.

Sources

• 2012 White Sox Media Guide
• Purapelota
• MILB.com