LEAP OF FAITH
Sandy says he sees Tebow ascending to big leagues
PORT ST. LUCIE — Tim Tebow was respectable enough in his transition to baseball last season that the Mets are now increasing their expectations for the former Hesiman Trophy winner.
Noting the Te bow experiment has “evolved” into something greater, general man ger Sandy Alderson on Sunday said: “I think he will play in the major leagues.”
The 30-year-old Tebow arrived at spring training on Sunday for his first major league camp, after posting a . 226/. 309/. 347 slash line with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 1 26 games in the outfield, split between Single-A Columbia and High-A St. Lucie.
It’s expected the Mets will elevate Te bow to Double-A Binghamton to start this season — as he continues a baseball odyssey that began in September 2016 after a 12-year absence from the sport, dating to his junior year in high school.
“I can’ t worry about whether I play in the big leagues or not ,” Tebow said. “I got into this because I love it, I am passionate about it, and for me it’s being able to lock in and have tunnel vision, regardless of what team I am on and wherever they decide to put me. I am going to be able to lock in and give it everything I have.”
Tebow, a former NFL quarterback with the Broncos and Jets, spends his off season offering college football commentary for the SEC Network. He indicated that his employer, ESPN, would not impede him from playing for the Mets in September should he get placed on the 40-man roster and summoned to the big leagues.
“This is my focus and that would be something I would look forward to,” Tebow said.
Alderson cited Tebow’s age as the reason he is major league camp, as the Mets try to accelerate the process.
“This experiment, if you will, is not going to last forever,” Alderson said. “But he’s made meaningful progress. We thought he would best benefit from being in major league camp, which would accelerate his development rather than falling back on protocol. I am very comfortable that he’s here. I think he’s going to be a great addition over the next six weeks.”
Alders on also defended his decision to give Tebow — who has also become well-respected for his missionary work around the world — this opportunity.
“He is great for the team, he is great for baseball, he was phenomenal for minor league baseball last year,” Alderson said. “The notion that he should have been excluded from the game because he is not coming through the traditional sources, I think is crazy. This is entertainment, too. And he quietly entertains us.
“He benefits the Mets because of how he conducts himself. He’s a tremendous representative of the organization.”
Te bow will receive an extensive look in the Grapefruit League, according to manager Mickey Callaway, without stealing playing time from others. The Mets have just four healthy outfielders on their 40-man roster with Michael Conforto rehabbing from left shoulder surgery.
“We are going to evaluate Tim Tebow just as we would anybody else,” Callaway said. “Tim Tebow is here because he can potentially help us at the major league level at some point. He wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
Tebow worked out with Daniel Murphy in the Jacksonville area during the offseason and said he has changed his swing. He’s also coming into spring training 12 pounds lighter
than last year, when he was invited to the Mets’ minor league camp.
He also kept in touch with his minor league teammates over the winter.
“For a guy who never played fantasy [football], I gave more advice than probably anybody else,” Tebow said. “It was fun, because although it was my f irst year in baseball I have had a lot of experience in sports and pressure and with a lot of e ye s on me.”