Opposing coach reveals the big advantage Tebow has over other MLB prospects
When compared to his fellow minor leaguers, it seems at first glance like New York Mets baseball prospect Tim Tebow is at a massive disadvantage.
After all, Tebow is 30 years old. At that age, most successful players are hitting their MLB primes, not toiling away in the minors. Tebow’s truncated time frame to become an actual MLB player is certainly working against him.
Tebow also dedicated his craft to an entirely different sport prior to baseball. He was a part of two national championship-winning Florida Gators teams in college football and even won a playoff game in the NFL.
Tebow’s peers have typically been honing their baseball craft from little league on. Tebow took a football career-sized break from baseball, which he last played in high school.
Tebow’s disadvantages have manifested themselves in the form of a solid, if unspectacular, .242 batting average going into Wednesday’s game against the Akron RubberDucks.
More worrisome than the batting average is Tebow’s awful strikeout rate, as he’s struck out 33 times in 19 games. He also has just one home run, hit in his very first Double-A at-bat, and eight runs batted in.
So if Tebow is older, less experienced and less consistent at the plate than his peers, what does he bring to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies?
A cynic would assuredly respond with the fact that Tebow’s a ticket-seller.
And he is. According to WVIT, Tebow’s mere presence has already made tickets for a game against the Hartford Yard Goats hard to come by. A Wednesday, May 9 game in Hartford is almost sold out, with only standing room tickets left.
“One of the great things about minor league baseball is that you never know who you may see play when you come to a Yard Goats game,” Yard Goats team president Tim Restall said. “Last season, we had several Major League players come through on rehabilitation assignments which was a huge bonus for our fans. We are excited that Tim Tebow will be playing at Dunkin’ Donuts Park with the Rumble Ponies and I’m sure he will love the experience of playing in Hartford.”
But the biggest advantage Tebow has over his peers? His worldly experience, according to his opposition.
“He definitely sees a bigger picture than most young guys. People don’t have the perspective of life. I would imagine on that side, he’s got a calm and steady to him that most young players don’t,” RubberDucks coach Tony Mansolino told the Akron Beacon Journal.
It’s certainly a valid point. As many attendees as Tebow routinely draws, minor-league baseball crowds still pale in comparison to some of the more fervent SEC football fan bases that Tebow clashed with in college.
“Watching him take (batting practice), it was a professional BP,” Mansolino said. “A lot of power, a nice little swing, not a bad swing at all. Especially when you consider what his track has been at this point. That’s the biggest thing that stands out. … He’s definitely turning himself into a player that is giving himself a shot.”
For his part, Tebow is taking it all in stride.
“You try to just be gracious with it,” Tebow told the Beacon Journal. “You’re always grateful for the support. When the fans turn out, that’s a blessing, but at the same time they can be quick to boo you, too. I’ve had both sides of it often, but there’s been a lot of great support, especially when we have road trips in places like this. Anytime you get support, it’s good.”
Few players get more support from the fans than Tebow. But based on what his opponents have to say about him, Tebow provides maturity, experience and support for his peers as well. That’s a lot more than just selling tickets.
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