Hurt during showcase

Smith first pitched to Tebow, followed by David Aardsma. The former NFL quarterback, reportedly feeling the pain of his injury, didn’t look good and revealed his lack of experience hitting a changeup.

However, according to the report, Smith then walked to the mound and told Tebow: “Be ready for some fastballs.” He later asked for autographs, the report said.

Tebow was 1-for-5 against Aardsma and 5-for-8 against Smith.

After the showcase, one scout told the Daily News that Tebow still had “a long way to go.”

Of course, the Mets ended up taking a chance on Tebow, who signed a minor-league contract in September 2016. He currently plays with the Columbia Fireflies, the Mets’ Class-A affiliate.

BIG TOP SANDY

And taking a chance on Tebow was easy for the Mets because Sandy Alderson wanted to join the circus. The Mets GM knew the attention Tebow would bring to the franchise and figured — why not. In an interview MMQB, Alderson said had it not been for Tebow being such a big name, the Mets likely wouldn’t have signed him.

“Would we have done it without the celebrity element? Probably not. … So?” Alderson said.

On a scale ranging from signing Tebow on his baseball talents to his “Barnum and Bailey” effect, Alderson said the Mets were in the middle when they looked at the former Jets quarterback.

“The Mets have a brand,” Alderson said. “I looked at Tim as someone who wouldn’t necessarily enhance the brand; he wouldn’t degrade the brand. But he would sure expand the brand.”

Tebow believes he’s making progress in the minor leagues and is trying to “stay level-headed.”

“It feels more comfortable,” Tebow said. “I’m definitely seeing pitches better. I feel like I’m getting better every week, too.”

Tebow has 18 hits, nine RBI, has scored 12 runs and is tied for second on the team in home runs with two in 22 games.