Tim Tebow’s transition to baseball has drawn major scrutiny around MLB, as comments regarding his chances of playing in the show haven’t been kind.
Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter admitted to having zero interest in signing Tebow, and outfielder Adam Jones mocked the former Florida Gators quarterback’s career change on Twitter. Not everyone is against Tebow making the show. Former Florida Marlin Gary Sheffield tweeted his support of Tebow’s chances, writing he absolutely believes he can play in the bigs.
I spent time w @TimTebow in the cages recently, he's a NATURAL. I absolutley believe in his ability to play in the bigs. Tim has IT #focused
— Gary Sheffield (@garysheffield) August 9, 2016
The comments should be taken with a grain of salt. Sheffield is praising Tebow, partly because he’s working with the former Denver Bronco, according to TMZ. Sheffield gave the publication a scouting report of Tebow and said some outright ridiciulous things.
Sheffield thinks Tebow could make the majors in a year.
“I can’t see him not making the Majors. Maybe a year and a half in the minors before being called up.”
He also claimed Tebow has massive power.
“Tim has a lot of power. The bat’s like a toothpick in his hands.”
Sheffield hit more than 500 home runs over his storied career, so to distrust his opinion would usually be unwise. But, in this case, it seems the 47-year-old is blowing smoke up Tebow’s ass. Tebow’s chance of making it are astronomically thin. To get to the big leagues in a season and a half, is frankly ridiculous. It took 2014 MVP Mike Trout multiple MiLB seasons before he was major league ready, so I doubt a 28-year-old Tebow can accelerate through the ranks that fast despite never playing a single pro game.
Part of me wants to see Tebow play in the minors just to see him fail. I do wish, however, this publicity stunt would just disappear. Sheffield is fanning false flames.
