Tebow sends another into heavens
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Tim Tebow was promoted to High Single-A St. Lucie after posting strong exit velocity readings. Then Tebow went out and proved him correct in his debut. In the second inning, Tebow unloaded on a 3-1, 92-mph fastball from Cardinals right-hander Junior Fernandez, depositing it over the center-field wall for a two-run homer in Game 2 as part of his three-hit day during the doubleheader. “I felt good,” Tebow told reporters. “Honestly, I felt good the last couple of weeks in Columbia and tried to carry it over. Just put the bat on the ball and hit it hard. I was just thankful I could get one out tonight.” Tebow’s performance — 3-for-5 with the home run, two RBIs and a walk — even caught notice from an NL scout in attendance.
“It was the best I’ve ever seen him,” the scout said. “The home run was to almost straightaway center field that he golfed out. At Columbia, he was taking a lot of pitches and getting in bad counts. He just seemed more comfortable.”
Making splashy debuts has become commonplace for the former quarterback who continues to rise to the occasion.
From his first game in instructional league to his debut in Columbia, Tebow has made a habit of belting home runs in his debut. Yet, he has had trouble continuing the trend past the first day.
Tebow has struggled mightily in his first full season playing professional baseball, hitting .230/.318/.352 with 70 strikeouts in 219 at-bats. But Tebow also has hit four home runs, showcasing the type of strength that made him enticing after his showcase last year.
“Still has a long, leaky swing, but he was more aggressive,” the scout said of Tebow who snapped an 0-for-11 stretch with his first hit of the day. “First ball I’ve seen him hit with any power.”
Maybe Tebow deserved the promotion after all.