Holman is Molina's launching pad

Bat attack.

That's what Angel Molina had last year playing for the Florence Freedom of the independent Frontier League. It's what he says he has always had.

"I want to show people what I've got so I can get back to affiliated ball again," Molina said. "My big weapon is my bat."

The American Defenders of New Hampshire are the next step in that mission for a player who spent eight seasons in the Florida Marlins system. The numbers in Florence were crazy: A .327 batting average, with 22 homers, 22 doubles and 71 RBIs. It's no wonder the Defenders, last in the Can-Am League in hitting last year, pounced on the 27-year-old native of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, when he became available this past winter.

"That was a huge signing for us," Defenders general manager Chris Hall said. "Obviously the potential is unlimited. He can play right, also play first, can catch if we need a third catcher.

"But offensively is really why we got him. He was a postseason All-Star for independent leagues by Baseball America, 20-plus home runs, 20-plus doubles, 70-plus RBIs."

But that was Molina's first dip into independent ball, and it's quite possible the numbers were inflated because he was playing a level or two below where he's used to. He's a .275 career minor league hitter, but he hit .284 with 18 homers and 79 RBIs in his best affiliated season in Class A Greensboro in 2004.

"To me, (the Frontier League) was like high A," he said. "I faced a couple of pitchers who were very good pitchers . . . But to me, wherever I go, just see the ball and hit it. Show the pitchers what I've got, pitch-by-pitch, at-bat by at-bat, and try to hit the ball well."

"He aged out of the Frontier League," Hall said. "I have a very good relationship with his agents (Kike Calero and Jason Sullivan out of Portsmouth). Angel's a guy we tried to get last year. He's a veteran for us, and we expect a lot. He can hit for average, he can hit for power, and he can run a little bit, he's got decent speed (14 stolen bases last year)."

Molina suffered from shoulder tendonitis in 2007, which is apparently one of the reasons why he and the Marlins parted ways. They wanted Molina to take a pay cut, and he said no.

But he wasn't concerned about leaving affiliated ball.

"It's not like I got scared," he said. "I'll play hard, (impress) somebody and get back to affiliated ball again."

Confidence is not something Molina lacks.

"If you don't trust yourself, who's going to trust you?" Molina said. "I just go every day, pitch-by-pitch, and try to hit the ball well . . . Again, I keep playing hard. I had a couple of offers. So I'll come here, play hard, the best I can in my life."

It appears Molina is on the scouts radar and knows it. Hall and manager Brian Daubach have hinted that players like him may not be around the Can-Am League long if he repeats his production of last year.

"You can just see that he has a very good grasp of what he's doing up there," Daubach said. "The ball really jumps off his bat. A strong arm from the outfield. He's a guy, maybe you wonder why he's in this league, but that's good for us.

"I'm excited about our team, we look so good right now, but a guy like that could be gone. You never know in this league."

"This league gets scouted," Molina said. "I hope they sign a couple of guys here. What I see around here, just the first practice, we've got a very good team this year."

And Molina will be a big reason for that - while he's here.