Hard work pays off.
And despite the persistent criticism and snide remarks from naysayers, Tim Tebow has honed his craft in silence.
The sideshow is turning into a showcase.
As Tebow’s bat heats up, something incredible could happen.
If Tebow continues to trend up, he could get assigned to the New York Mets’ high-A team in Port Saint Lucie, which is a three-hour drive from his hometown of Jacksonville; Ticket brokers are salivating at the proposition.
From the New York Post:
Tim Tebow looks like he’s learning to hit. Could a promotion in the Mets farm system be next?
Tebow tripled — on a headfirst slide — and singled twice, scoring two runs as the Single-A Columbia Fireflies beat the Asheville Tourists 5-0 on Wednesday.
It was Tebow’s third multi-hit game since Friday, as the 29-year-old followed up on his best week in the minors with more consistency at the plate. In his past six games, Tebow is batting .450 (9-for-20).
“There are some guys who do really good who get taken away from me halfway through the year,” Fireflies manager Jose Leger said, according to The State. “Then there are guys that get taken away really early. It is hard to predict when it happens. A lot depends on what is happening in the level above. Whenever they decide it, he will be ready. He is just working hard, and we are going day by day.”
Tebow, the former Broncos quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, had a chance to go 4-for-4 in the eighth inning. But Tebow’s shot to deep left field was caught by the Tourists’ Vince Fernandez, and he just missed his third home run.
“He has been able to get his foot down on time, working on his timing, and it is finally paying off. He is more consistent,” Leger said. “When you get a couple hits and find that rhythm at the plate, your confidence also grows. That is what has been happening.”
A promotion is by no means guaranteed, but the idea has moved from inane to worthy of discussion, a testament to Tebow’s work ethic and attitude.
But at this point, it would be unwise to doubt Tim Tebow.
The Mets’ double-A team is the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and their triple-A team is the Las Vegas 51s. Perhaps Tebow should have a bag packed in case he needs to make a short-notice trip to spread the gospel in New York State, or even Sin City.
Though Tebow’s performance is unexpected, it should be noted Tebow was a legitimate baseball prospect in high school. Tebow isn’t learning how to play baseball haphazardly. He’s sharpening skills he’d already acquired.
From an NFL.com article:
Boston Red Sox scout Tom Kotchman told WEEI beat writer Rob Bradford that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wanted to draft the three-sport star out of high school. If Tebow had returned his information card to the Angels, “we were going to take him,” said Kotchman, who was scouting for the team at the time.
Was Tebow a legitimate Major League Baseball prospect? He didn’t play as a senior, but Tebow hit .494 as a junior while leading Nease High School to the final four of the Florida state playoffs, earning all-state honors along the way.
“I believe he could have played in the big leagues,” said Nease coach Greg “Boo” Mullins, who called Tebow a “six-tool player” and a potential Round 7 to 12 draft pick.
“He had a strong arm and had a lot of power,” said Red Sox Florida scout Stephen Hargett, who worked with Kotchman with the Angels. “He had leverage to his swing. He had some natural loft. He had some good power. He was a good athlete. He had enough arm for that position. He was a left-handed hitter with strength and some size. He stood out. He was bigger and stronger than everybody. … It was just easy for him. You thought, if this guy dedicated everything to baseball like he did to football, how good could he be?”
Well, we’re about to find out.
