'Someone Will Give Him A Chance': Tebow Impresses MLB Scouts With Raw Power During Workout
LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It appears Tim Tebow might have a future in baseball after all.
More than 20 teams watched Tebow's workout in Los Angeles, and some scouts came away impressed with his power.
Before dozens of scouts, the former Heisman-winning quarterback ran a 60-yard dash in 6.7 seconds, threw to bases from right field, ran routes on fly balls in center field, took batting practice and had live at-bats against former MLB pitchers.
According to Scout Media's Taylor Blake Ward, Tebow hit nine home runs during batting practice, including one that was crushed over the scoreboard.
Tim Tebow hit this ball well out, scout estimated at 430, hit another one over Dedeux Field scoreboard by 20 feet pic.twitter.com/kdMhNzD1re
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016
When Tebow faced former Major League pitcher Chad Smith, he went 1-5 with a single and a walk. Against David Aardsma, he went 2-6 with a double.
Tim Tebow faced former Major League, Chad Smith, for live pitching; 1-for-5, single, walk, three groundout, one shallow fly to LF
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016
Tim Tebow goes 2-for-6 vs. David Aardsma by my book, last hit would be double off wall in left-center
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016
"That raw power is irreplaceable," one National League scout told Scout Media.
NL scout on gave serious praise to Tim Tebow, "That raw power is irreplaceable," asked him to grade his power, "80"
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 30, 2016
A Major League scouting director praised Tebow's workout to ESPN's Jim Bowden.
"'Tim Tebow work out was certainly good enough that someone will give him a chance. Running and Power were his best two tools," Bowden tweeted about what the scouting director told him.
"Tim Tebow work out was certainly good enough that someone will give him a chance. Running and Power were his... https://t.co/jMRiv3haMZ
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) August 30, 2016
Despite the rave reviews of his power, Tebow didn't display a great arm in the field. Three scouts told ESPN they graded his arm as well below-average.
Three scouts present at Tim Tebow work out graded his arm well below average. 2 scouts graded his arm 40 another... https://t.co/cAr5dgg4cH
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) August 30, 2016
last played organized baseball in high school, hitting .494 as a junior for Nease High School in Florida. He didn't play baseball as a senior, concentrating instead on football.
"He was a six-tool player," Tebow's high school coach, Greg "Boo" Mullins, said in a 2013 interview with The Sporting News. "He has arm strength, he could run, he could hit, he could hit for power, he could field, but his character made him that six-tool guy."
Agent Brodie Van Wagenen, the co-head of CAA Baseball, said in a statement that the workout is not a publicity stunt.
"His work ethic is unprecedented, and his passion for the game is infectious. He knows the challenges that lie ahead of him given his age and experience, but he is determined to achieve his goal of playing in the Major Leagues," Van Wagenen said.
Tebow, 29, has been training in Scottsdale, Arizona, with former major league catcher Chad Moeller.
"I am beyond impressed with Tim's athleticism and swing, and it goes without saying that he has shown a high level of discipline and strong work ethic," Moeller said in a statement released by CAA. "I see bat speed and power and real baseball talent. I truly believe Tim has the skill set and potential to achieve his goal of playing in the Major Leagues, and based on what I have seen over the past two months, it could happen relatively quickly."
Tebow won the Heisman and two national championships with the University of Florida and was drafted in the first round by the Broncos in in 2010. He has not played in the NFL since 2012 with the Jets. He went to training camp with the New England Patriots in 2013 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 but was cut before the season each time.
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