Starter or reliever: What should Arkansas baseball do with Mason Molina?
Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn has a fascinating decision to make with Mason Molina.
The Texas Tech transfer was a preseason All-American, but three consecutive poor starts dropped Molina out of the Razorbacks (43-14) starting rotation and into the bullpen. The decision has helped Molina rediscover his old self.
Molina (4-2, 4.04 ERA) has given up one hit through five relief innings across the last two weeks. He's struck out five and hasn't walked a single batter after giving up 11 walks and nine runs in his last 7 1/3 innings as a starter.
More: Arkansas baseball limps into NCAA Tournament with questions and optimism
More: Arkansas baseball bracketology: Where Hogs stand in 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket projections
What does Van Horn do? Should he keep Molina in the bullpen, or move the lefty back into the starting rotation? The lack of a clear third starter for the upcoming regional amplifies the importance of Van Horn's decision.
Molina believes Van Horn's eventual choice won't have an impact on his performance.
"I'm going to throw where I'm needed. That's up for them to decide, and I'm just going to go out there and pitch to the best of my ability wherever they want me," Molina said. "We haven't talked about it yet."
Molina's first appearance out of the bullpen was in one of the highest-leverage situations of the Arkansas season, pitching the final three innings and earning the win in the Hogs' 6-3 victory over Texas A&M that clinched the SEC West title.
At the SEC Tournament, Molina logged two scoreless innings against Kentucky. After the game, he rattled off some physical reasons unrelated to the switch that have contributed to the better results.
The biggest factor is better control. Molina said he's been able to throw all four of his pitches for strikes and — perhaps most importantly — found trust in his fastball again. He also said that he's been throwing his slider harder and generating more break.
But mentally, the move has allowed Molina to hit a reset button.
"I was overthinking things and I was trying to be too fine, and now I really don't have the luxury of thinking. It's just kind of get hot, go in the game and let your stuff work," he said.
"So I think if I end up starting at some point again... I would try to transfer that over as much as I can."
Molina's role for the postseason will be determined by Van Horn, who so far can claim a stroke of genius by turning Molina into a reliever. Coming out of the bullpen allowed Molina not to worry about conserving energy for a long start.
And according to Van Horn, a little added motivation was likely at play.
"You’re frustrated because you’re not starting," Van Horn said. "You go down there and you’re going to prove to everybody you should be starting. There’s just a lot in there."
If Molina can carry his recent run into his old job, he's the obvious answer to be the Razorbacks' third starter.
But is it worth the risk of ruining his momentum? Whatever Van Horn decides could determine the Hogs' fate in the NCAA Tournament.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: What should Arkansas baseball do with pitcher Mason Molina?
