Tim Tebow: Pride of The Philippines

SydneySox

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Today, the Australian Baseball League announced they are offering a spot to Tebow:

The Australian Baseball League has approached Tim Tebow's management about the possibility of securing Tim's services in the 2016/17 ABL Season.

Tebow, a former quarterback in the NFL, has decided to trade football for a potential career in baseball, and completed a workout in front of 40 MLB scouts yesterday.

#Tebowing in the ABL, why not?
The ABL in literally just the last two weeks severed official ties to the MLB and is now Australian owned; obviously this is also an attention seeking marketing stunt.
 

NDame616

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Sorry I think that's a stretch to think that showing he's a below average player will somehow give him more of a chance to be a baseball announcer. I suppose anything is possible, but I think if he's gonna go to the booth it'll be back in college football.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Watching clips of the workout, he struck me as way too bulky and stiff. He looked like a linebacker and I know that's what he played as at qb, but it's not a physique I see a lot of baseball players have. He looked huge. If you can pound the ball like the steroid crew, sure, but he just physically didn't look like a baseball player to me, watching it. I understand how crude that assessment is and I'm no scout, but I have to imagine it's not too crazy of a viewpoint.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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Sorry I think that's a stretch to think that showing he's a below average player will somehow give him more of a chance to be a baseball announcer. I suppose anything is possible, but I think if he's gonna go to the booth it'll be back in college football.
And that's his soft seat. He could spend the next forty years doing college football on the Lee Corso train, taking the reigns when Lee kicks the bucket. But I don't blame the guy for trying to max out an adidas deal and some publicity.
 

shaggydog2000

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So he didn't want to play another position in the NFL, or play QB in the CFL, but he thinks playing minor league baseball after 11 years out of the sport is a good idea? Weird.
 

santadevil

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Watching clips of the workout, he struck me as way too bulky and stiff. He looked like a linebacker and I know that's what he played as at qb, but it's not a physique I see a lot of baseball players have. He looked huge. If you can pound the ball like the steroid crew, sure, but he just physically didn't look like a baseball player to me, watching it. I understand how crude that assessment is and I'm no scout, but I have to imagine it's not too crazy of a viewpoint.
That's what I thought immediately too. He looks like a hulking beast.

Also swing seems a bit awkward still. The few cuts I saw, he didn't seem to square up the ball. But that may have been the "highlights" that SportsNet showed.
 

troparra

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Tebow workout column up on USA Today - http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/08/30/tim-tebow-baseball-tryout-showcase-workout-scouts-usc-reaction/89611816/

Some conflicting information here.
For example:
“It was a complete waste of time,’’ said an American League scout, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about his assessment. “It was like watching an actor trying to portray a baseball player.

“He tried. He tried. That’s the best I can say. He is crazy strong, and could run well in one direction, but that’s it. He only had one good throw of all his throws.’’

A National League scout saw things more favorably.

“Better than I expected, to be honest," he said of the 6-3, 260-pound Tebow. “…That's a big dude, for as fast as he can run. The power was impressive, but I wish he could have translated it maybe a little better (against live pitching).”
And...
Next, after a private session in the batting cage, Tebow emerged for batting practice — and enlivened the crowd. On his sixth pitch, he pounded the ball beyond the 365-foot sign in right-center field. It was just the start, as Tebow launched shots over the scoreboard and above the towering trees beyond the right-field fence.

In all, eight balls left the yard.

“That was big power,’’ a scout said. “He was mis-hitting the ball out of the park.’’
But then right below that they have a chart showing Tebow's power at 30 (i.e. "Organizational").
 

OCST

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Sounds to me like a great athlete who can't hit a David Aardsma curveball.

That's it, isn't it?
 

E5 Yaz

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Well that, the PR boost and the click bait for his partners in crime at ESPN
 

Plympton91

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Todd Hollandsworth said the same thing as PP above about the physique and lack of flexibility just being wrong for a baseball player.

The other thing that screams "not serious" to me is that he's talking about finishing out his college football announcing duties and then going to spring training. Dude, you're 29 years old, if you want this to happen you needed to start yesterday.

I think if he was really serious he'd be saying he wanted to sign a contract today, head to instructional league tomorrow, play winter ball in Australia (since upthread is says they made an offer), then come back for spring training and hope to make a full season A ball squad.
 

leetinsley38

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He looks like he's be perfect for the ESPN company slow pitch softball team.
Will we ever see another 2 sport star like Bo Jackson or Deion?
 

Average Reds

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Todd Hollandsworth said the same thing as PP above about the physique and lack of flexibility just being wrong for a baseball player.

The other thing that screams "not serious" to me is that he's talking about finishing out his college football announcing duties and then going to spring training. Dude, you're 29 years old, if you want this to happen you needed to start yesterday.

I think if he was really serious he'd be saying he wanted to sign a contract today, head to instructional league tomorrow, play winter ball in Australia (since upthread is says they made an offer), then come back for spring training and hope to make a full season A ball squad.
Wait ... this is a 29 year old football washout holding an ESPN-fest tryout after not playing organized ball for over a decade and this is what screamed "not serious" to you?

(I kid, I kid. I know what you were trying to say.)

Not sure if this was mentioned before (scanned and did not see it) but Tebow announced a long-term endorsement deal signed with Adidas right before the tryout.
 

Jnai

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I saw a number of reports that people put a 65/70 power on him. That's elite MLB skill, a plus-plus talent, all-star level power.

Those reports might be false, or might be jokes, or whatever. But if you normally have a player with a 7 power, they're going to get a look.
 

soxhop411

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“@JonHeyman: Braves are among teams interested in Tebow. @pedrogomezESPN mentioned 1st”


Of course.
 

CoffeeNerdness

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Not sure where Schefter is getting the AFL bit of info, but the official Mets Twitter says Instructional League.

 

Average Reds

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Adam Schefter says it's the Mets:

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 13m13 minutes ago
Mets are signing Tim Tebow to a minor-league contract, an MLB source tells ESPN. Instructional League or Arizona Fall League next for Tebow.
That is the Metsiest thing they've done for a while.
 
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tims4wins

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Classic Tebow

What would Tim Tebow deem success during his baseball pursuit? Is it major leagues or bust? "I would consider success giving everything I have," he said.
 

soxhop411

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“@jareddiamond: ”This decision was strictly driven by baseball. This was not something that was driven by marketing considerations or anything of the sort.“”

“@jareddiamond: That last quote was by Sandy Alderson.”


*cough* bullshit *cough*
 

grimshaw

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He's obviously got no chance, but one thing I'm tired of hearing (Merloni, the robot) is that he's taking someone else's job. I mean, sure, some guy won't be able to work part time, literally below poverty level for 3 to 7k for 5 months, but the majority of all minor leaguers know they have no prayer, many are undrafted non-prospects, and are signed to be soldiers. Someone has to ride the pine and fill in.

If he can't play he won't make it past the level he starts in. I'd be shocked if he lasts 3 months.
 

grimshaw

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If they knew that, I think they'd pick a different career. Instead, how about, "I just want to give it my best shot and, good lord willing, things will work out."
My point is that they can't live on that salary anyhow in rookie ball, so presumably have full time non-related baseball jobs the other 7 months of the year if things don't work out.

It's not a lot different than when nepotism shows up in the last rounds of the draft. I think Jimy Williams and Joe Kerrigan's relatives were in the same draft one year.

If it were the AFL or something like AA where Jordan took up space too long, that would legitimately be taking away someone's opportunity since it's reserved for talented minor leaguers.
 
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Rasputin

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Or maybe they just like playing baseball...
And they're at an age where they can afford to spend a few years on a lark. Would any of us not want to have a couple minor league seasons in our past? I know if I had them, it would be on every resume for the rest of my life even if it's only as an icebreaker in interviews and conversations.
 

Fred not Lynn

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...and there's also lots of professional opportunity in the baseball field off the field that you can get a better shot at with the network and credentials you get from playing pro ball for a while. Today's low level minor leaguers are tomorrow's coaches, instructors, academy and travel team owners, tournament operators, etc...
 

Plympton91

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This is absolutely ridiculous. Wasting an AFL spot on Tebow? Really?
The Red Sox gave an AFL slot to Casey Kelly as a 19 year old Gulf Coast League SS as part of his contract deal to let him try both pitching and SS even though everyone knew he was going to be a P.

On MLB Netwodk tonight they said he got a $100,000 signing bonus. Yeah,I think some unemployed lawyers should file an anti trust lawsuit against the major league draft.
 

BigMike

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And they're at an age where they can afford to spend a few years on a lark. Would any of us not want to have a couple minor league seasons in our past? I know if I had them, it would be on every resume for the rest of my life even if it's only as an icebreaker in interviews and conversations.
And while a lot of these guys may know they are not going to make the majors, many are looking to have a career in baseball, coaching, etc, and doing a couple of years in the minors makes them far more valuable for those jobs.

In terms of Tebow, ESPN is hammering on the publicity stunt angle. It's not like the Mets really gain anything by selling an additional 20k tickets at Port St Lucie. Even if he goes to Brooklyn which they own, the Mets absolutely pack it in there now, so a few hundred more tickets a game at a minimal price means nothing.

Ultimately I think Tebow has about a 1/250 maybe 1/1000 chance of making it in baseball. But on the extremely unlikely chance he makes it, he could be very good for a few years
 

NDame616

will bailey
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And while a lot of these guys may know they are not going to make the majors, many are looking to have a career in baseball, coaching, etc, and doing a couple of years in the minors makes them far more valuable for those jobs.

In terms of Tebow, ESPN is hammering on the publicity stunt angle. It's not like the Mets really gain anything by selling an additional 20k tickets at Port St Lucie. Even if he goes to Brooklyn which they own, the Mets absolutely pack it in there now, so a few hundred more tickets a game at a minimal price means nothing.

Ultimately I think Tebow has about a 1/250 maybe 1/1000 chance of making it in baseball. But on the extremely unlikely chance he makes it, he could be very good for a few years
That is DRIPPING with irony.....
 

mauidano

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The Red Sox gave an AFL slot to Casey Kelly as a 19 year old Gulf Coast League SS as part of his contract deal to let him try both pitching and SS even though everyone knew he was going to be a P.

On MLB Netwodk tonight they said he got a $100,000 signing bonus. Yeah,I think some unemployed lawyers should file an anti trust lawsuit against the major league draft.
Can't find the article now but obviously this didn't go over well with some of the minor league kids who got next to nothing and are really playing their hearts out for the love of the game. They took to Twitter (of course) to voice their displeasure. In the larger picture they don't understand it and of course they didn't win the Heisman either!