Expect a great deal of attention on the New York Mets during Spring Training, as they announced that Tim Tebow will be present once again this year.
When the New York Mets arrive at Spring Training this year, they will be greeted by a large contingent of fans eager to watch the action on the field. This would make sense, as the Mets are hoping that their vaunted pitching staff will finally be healthy at the same time, and that bringing back Jay Bruce will make a difference in the National League East. New York has designs on contending, as far fetched as they might be.
However, the eager crowd on hand will, for the most part, not be there out of any sense of contention for the Mets. Instead, that crowd will be there to watch Tim Tebow, as he has been invited to join the Mets as a minor league invitee to Spring Training.
We’ve invited nine players to major league #SpringTraining including: Peter Alonso, P.J. Conlon, Kevin Kaczmarski, Patrick Mazeika, Drew Smith, Corey Taylor, Tim Tebow, David Thompson and Adonis Uceta. #Mets
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 19, 2018
It is easy to regard this as a sideshow, or a way for the Mets to just get people down to Port. St. Lucie in February and March. After all, he had just a .226/.309/.347 batting line in his 486 plate appearances across two levels. He did show a bit of pop, hitting 24 doubles and eight homers, but also struck out 126 times. At 30 years old already, it is hard to consider Tebow an actual prospect.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
However, this also keeps Tebow’s major league aspirations alive. The Mets are, again, exposing him to the highest level of competition that they can. He will be able to work with the major league staff, hopefully accelerating his learning curve. With a strong showing in Spring Training, Tebow may even find himself assigned to AA to start the year.
For all the disparagement that Tebow has received as an athlete, no one can question his desire. Even though he had not played since high school, Tebow kept improving. He showed flashes that he could be a legitimate baseball player. The will and athleticism are there.
Is that enough for Tebow to eventually reach the major leagues? The 2018 campaign may be the deciding factor in that determination. If he does get to AA and continues to make strides, Tebow could be a fourth outfielder at the major league level. If not, then he will be the most famous career minor leaguer in the history of the game.
Next: Mets plan on starting Adrian Gonzalez
The New York Mets have invited Tim Tebow to Spring Training. It will be fascinating to see how much of a difference one year has made.