 Prior to playing professional baseball, Molina Kennedy High School and then Arizona State University.In 1994, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and returned to the league in 1995 to play for the Orleans Cardinals.Drafted by the Orioles in the 21st round of the 1996 amateur draft and signed by scout John Green, Molina began his professional career that year with the Bluefield Orioles.