C.R. Kernels fall to Peoria, but Nelson Molina continues to impress

CEDAR RAPIDS — Nelson Molina just looks like a ballplayer.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels infielder is tall and lean, has good actions defensively. Hitting, that's really coming around, too.

Molina went 2-for-4 with a couple of RBIs in the Kernels' 13-4 loss Friday night to Peoria at Veterans Memorial Stadium. He's been a productive guy since coming to town from extended spring training a little over a month ago.

'Way confident right now,' Molina said. 'The offseason was a key for me. I trained with a lot of people with a lot of experience, and they taught me a lot. They make me a better hitter. Nelson Molina is a different hitter than in past years. The way I've matured, I'm trying to get more mature every day. I'm trying to improve my career every (day). It's not easy, hitting is not easy. But I have to keep working on it, keep going.'

Molina, 21, was the Minnesota Twins' 11th-round draft pick in 2013 out of a high school in Puerto Rico. He hit all of .110 his first pro season and came into this season with a .191 career average.

But he has shown off a nice left-handed swing here, not looking a bit like a guy with his previous meager statistics. Molina played winter ball in Puerto Rico and got some tips from guys there, which, as he mentioned, has been important.

'He's never really gotten a chance to play,' said Kernels Manager Jake Mauer. 'He has always been tabbed as kind of a utility guy, gets moved around. It's hard for a young kid to be able to play short, second, third, outfield, first, and then be able to hit as well. Sometimes you like to try and keep guys at a spot as long as you can, so they can get comfortable and start to hit. I'm not saying that's the answer (to why he is hitting), but I think consistent at-bats have helped. And I think he is starting to (physically) mature. He's only 21, which I think people forget because he has been with us so long.'

Molina has played mostly shortstop, but has been C.R.'s primary third baseman since coming here April 29. Hey, whatever gets him and keeps him in the lineup.

He has a spiffy .325 batting average at the moment, with 17 RBIs in 26 games. He also has nearly as many walks as strikeouts, another very positive sign that he's developing.

'I've been working a lot on my hitting,' he said. 'My mental situation right now, I'm trying to (be) mature every time I go to the plate. That is important, that is the key right now, I think.'

'He is a guy who has made the most of an opportunity,' Mauer said. 'He plays a good third, has put together competitive at-bats ... If he does the things you need to do defensively, and then offensively handles the bat, he's going to stick around and play as long as he wants to.'

The Kernels (30-24) fell behind after two innings, 8-0. Starting pitcher Miles Nordgren was charged with all of those runs (seven earned), but much to his credit saved the bullpen by settling down and bulldogging his way an out into the sixth.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com