Fansided

Tim Tebow impressed former MLB closer with baseball skills

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; EPSN analyst Tim Tebow laughs prior to the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; EPSN analyst Tim Tebow laughs prior to the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tim Tebow is impressing a former MLB closer with his swings as he prepares to work out for MLB teams.

Tim Tebow wasn’t willing to change positions in the NFL, but he is willing to change sports to be a professional athlete. The former Heisman winner and first round pick is trying out for MLB teams on August 30 in something that feels like a pilot episode for a reality series on the SEC Network.

There’s just no chance Tebow, who hasn’t played baseball since he was in high school, will make the transition from the gridiron to the diamond, right?

Well, first it was Gary Sheffield who praised his swing when the news first broke about Tebow’s new career aspirations. Now, it’s former MLB closer David Aardsma who is singing the praises of the former Florida Gators star.

Aardsma has pitched to Tebow while training in Arizona and came away impressed with the way Tebow equipped himself with the bat, according to Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News.

“When I walked away, as a pitcher, I was pretty impressed,” said Aardsma, who saved 69 games for Seattle from 2009-2010 and is aiming for a big-league return. “He needs to see a lot more pitching and understand what the pitcher is watching and seeing from him and adjusting. That’s not something you know until you’re in it.

“I’d get him to instructs (instructional league), work his butt and get him to play winter league. Get him on the field every day, facing different pitchers. I would not be surprised if he’s in Double-A next year. I’d put the talent there right now.”

At least, Aardsma didn’t say Tebow would be in the Major Leagues and thought a best-case scenario was seeing him in Double-A.

I can see that scenario unfolding simply because of the opportunity it will present for promotions and business-related reasons, not for baseball reasons.

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Nevertheless, Tebow is a great athlete and has a great work ethic but baseball is the hardest sport in the world and there’s no chance he’ll be able to make a second career out of this. Tebow should just focus on working as a broadcaster where he shines on the SEC Network/ESPN.

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