Anonymous MLB scouts say Tim Tebow has “no shot” to make it in the game of baseball, but at least one former big-league closer disagrees.
Following a recent practice session with the former Heisman Trophy winner, David Aardsma, who played for eight teams over his nine-year MLB career, came away “impressed” with Tebow’s bat and patience at the plate.
“When I walked away, as a pitcher, I was pretty impressed,” Aardsma told the New York Daily News this week. “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.”
Aardsma, who connected with Tebow through former big-league catcher Chad Moeller, was actually so surprised by Tebow’s ability, he penned a column for Baseball Essential detailing the entire experience.
“For not playing the game in over a decade, he had very good plate discipline and very rarely swung at pitches off the plate. He actually started working the count against me,” Aardsma wrote last week. “I was expecting him to be coming out of his shoes almost every pitch, but Tim was very controlled with every swing and every at-bat. He let go only when the count allowed him to, and he stayed grounded when he was behind in the count.”
Aardsma’s surprising praise throws a monkey wrench into the accepted narrative ahead of Tebow’s August 30 free agent workout, which will be attended by 20 Major League teams, including the New York Yankees.
Although a successful baseball career remains a long-shot for the two-time national champion, perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to write Tebow off entirely.
