New York Mets: Tim Tebow has not been horrible this season
Tim Tebow, the most famous minor leaguer in the game today, may actually be more than a sideshow for the New York Mets.
The New York Mets decision to plug Tim Tebow onto the AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies roster at the start of the year was met with skepticism. While it made sense that the Mets would want to move their 30 year old minor league up through the ranks, Tebow had hardly proven worthy of such a promotion. After all, he had a combined .226/.309/.347 batting line with eight homers last season, drawing 43 walks and striking out 126 times in 486 plate appearances. However, as he improved after his promotion to the St. Lucie Mets last year, there was hope that Tebow would continue to progress.
Those improvements have actually continued. Tebow has not been annihilated by the proving grounds of AA, producing a surprisingly useful .238/.327/.378 batting line, hitting four homers and six doubles in his 162 plate appearances. While Tebow has struck out 66 times, he has drawn 16 walks, showing a decent eye at the plate.
Granted, these are not the numbers that one would expect from a top prospect, or even one that has a realistic chance of reaching the majors in any capacity. However, this is Tebow’s second year of professional ball, which has come after taking more than a decade off from the sport. That continued progression is certainly notable.
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It also lends credence to the idea that the Mets will continue to be aggressive in promoting the outfielder. He has held his own at AA, proving that he can be more than a side show, someone brought in to help sell tickets. Another promotion, this time to AAA, may be in the works for later in the season.
And then what? What if Tebow continues to defy the odds, and actually produce reasonably solid numbers? They have enough injured players where someone could be transferred to the 60 day disabled list to open a spot on the 40 man roster for the former quarterback, bringing him closer to a late season call up to the majors. If the Mets find themselves out of contention, as seems to be the case given their disastrous May, Tebow could get that call up to make sure fans come to the ballpark.
And yet, if he continues to produce at the plate, that promotion may be more than just a publicity stunt. Tebow has become a viable minor league player, even though his ceiling still seems to be nothing more than as a fourth or fifth outfielder in the majors. However, he has surprised everyone by being this productive. Who is to say he does not continue to surprise?
Tim Tebow has actually looked like a viable baseball player in the New York Mets system thus far. If this continues, another promotion may be in the works.