Yadier Molina

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #4 prospect in 2004
  As the brother of Angels catchers Bengie and Jose Molina, Molina has terrific catching bloodlines, and he's on his way toward joining them in the majors. Skipping over high Class A, Molina held his own in Double-A in 2003. The only hiccup came when he missed a couple of weeks with a bruised ankle. As with his brothers, defense is Molina's calling card. He has a plus arm and soft hands, and led Southern League regulars by throwing out 40 percent of basestealers. He also is advanced for his age in working with pitchers and likes to take charge on the field. Speed is by far Molina's weakest tool, rating as low as 20 on the 20-80 scouting scale. It hurts him on offense, though he showed progress otherwise in 2003, staying on balls well and going the other way. He needs to do that more consistently and to improve his plate discipline. He never has hit for much power. Molina was batting third in the Tennessee order by the end of the season. He isn't expected to bat there as a big leaguer, but it showed he can handle the bat and continue to move quickly. He'll get a chance to be the starting catcher at Triple-A Memphis in 2004.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #10 prospect in 2003
  How loaded was Peoria in 2002? Just three players among the Cardinals' top 10 didn't play there. Molina, the brother of Angels catchers Benji and Jose Molina, handled a strong pitching staff that led the Midwest League in ERA. Molina has the catch-and-throw skills to join his brothers in the big leagues. He receives, throws and blocks the ball well, and he handles pitchers well for his age. He threw out 52 percent (49 of 94) of basestealers and turned nine double plays, showing the strength of his arm. Molina's ceiling depends on his offensive development. The Cardinals are preaching patience and were encouraged by his progress last year. He needs better plate discipline, must keep his strikeouts down and use the whole field. His swing still tends to get long. He doesn't run well. With defensive skills this good, Molina needs to be merely adequate on offense to be an everyday major league catcher. He was close to that last year, but now needs to prove it against better pitching at Palm Beach.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #7 prospect in 2002
  Not many Rookie-level Appalachian League catchers earn a mention in ESPN Magazine, but not many Appy catchers work with Rick Ankiel either. Molina is the younger brother of catchers Ben and Jose Molina, both of whom are with the Angels. He made his pro debut last year after signing late in 2000. Ankiel raved about Molina's work behind the plate, and defense is his calling card. He has a good frame and will be strong enough to catch every day. He has a plus-plus arm and recalls the defensive skills of Eli Marrero, though he blocks balls better at the same point of development. Molina has some pop but he has work to do with the bat. He has a good swing but it tends to get long, and he needs to work on finer points like his stance. When he's short and quick to the ball he shows power potential. He doesn't run well. The Cardinals already project Molina as a big league catcher based solely on his defense. If his offense develops, he could be a standout. He'll face a significant test with his first full season, likely at low Class A Peoria.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #10 prospect in 2004
  The third Molina brother to catch in the majors--Bengie and Jose are on the Angels--Yadier spent most of the year backing up Mike Matheny in St. Louis. A similar defender with more offensive potential than Matheny, Molina should soon displace him as the starter. Molina led PCL regulars by throwing out 38 percent of basestealers and was easily the top defensive catcher in the league. His receiving skills are also a plus, though he sometimes has lapses in concentration. He's still developing as a hitter but made strides this year with his plate discipline and bat control.
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  Ranked National League #16 prospect in 2001
  Molina had a solid pro debut and impressed most of the Appalachian League's managers with his work behind the plate. An excellent defensive catcher, Molina is a hard worker who does a good job of blocking balls. He used a plus arm and quick release to throw out 43 percent of basestealers, the top rate in the League. He also takes charge of the game, and drew praise from his Johnson City pitching coach Sid Monge for his work with the Cardinals' staff. Not unlike most minor league catchers, Molina's bat remains his biggest question. He concluded the campaign with a .259 average, yet showed the ability to hit the ball hard and the potential to swat 15-20 homers annually. "He is a kid who has made great strides in the past year," said Princeton manager Edwin Rodriguez, who scouted Molina in Puerto Rico. "His defense has always been there and that's what is going to carry him to the big leagues. But I think he's going to show some power along the way as well."

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  Molina had a solid pro debut and impressed most of the Appalachian League's managers with his work behind the plate. An excellent defensive catcher, Molina is a hard worker who does a good job of blocking balls. He used a plus arm and quick release to throw out 43 percent of basestealers, the top rate in the League. He also takes charge of the game, and drew praise from his Johnson City pitching coach Sid Monge for his work with the Cardinals' staff. Not unlike most minor league catchers, Molina's bat remains his biggest question. He concluded the campaign with a .259 average, yet showed the ability to hit the ball hard and the potential to swat 15-20 homers annually. "He is a kid who has made great strides in the past year," said Princeton manager Edwin Rodriguez, who scouted Molina in Puerto Rico. "His defense has always been there and that's what is going to carry him to the big leagues. But I think he's going to show some power along the way as well."