Tebow-mania hits in 2 days
PORT ST. LUCIE — There may not be farm animals at Mets spring training this year and Yoenis Cespedes has stuck to an over-sized ranchers truck for most of camp. But Wednesday, the Mets plan to add a little bit of a circus to First Data Field when Tim Tebow is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut.
The Mets most infamous “prospect” will be one of several minor leaguers called over to fill out two squads on Wednesday and Friday. The Mets have 11 players leaving camp to participate in the World Baseball Classic, but also have two split-squad games next week.
Tebow will be left behind to play in Port St. Lucie both days, a team source said.
Without Cespedes driving a different outrageous car to camp every day, riding in on horses with Noah Syndergaard or buying a champion hog at a local fair, things have been fairly normal at Mets camp. That changes with the arrival of Tebow.
The Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback is trying to make it in baseball after giving up the sport 12 years ago as a high school senior. The Mets signed Tebow to a minor-league contract last September. He drew big crowds when he reported here for rookie league and was also the major attraction in the Arizona Fall League.
That is despite any demonstrated ability to play professional baseball. He hit .194 with 20 strikeouts in 62 at-bats against mostly Triple-A and Double-A pitchers in the AFL.
“Plus raw power, but too much length to swing. Poor pitch recognition. Must shorten swing or he won’t hit anything above 90 (miles per hour),” said an AL scout who watched him in the AFL. “He’s a below-average outfielder. He runs bad routes, has slow jumps and well below average arm strength.”
But he has above-average character, according to Sandy Alderson. The Mets GM touted the evangelical Christian’s leadership and competitiveness when they signed him with a $100,000 bonus and permission to miss weekends to keep his job as a broadcaster on the SEC Network.
Tebow is expected to be assigned to a Class-A team this season. Considering his popularity in Florida, St. Lucie could be a likely spot.