News broke early Tuesday morning that Tim Tebow has decided to pursue a career in professional baseball . Tebow will invite all 30 MLB clubs to a workout he will be holding at the end of August in hopes of landing a contract.
Tim Tebow is actively pursuing a career in baseball and plans to hold a workout for MLB teams later this month. https://t.co/SaF4prVy5g
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 9, 2016
Tim Tebow last played baseball in high school at Nease High School in Florida. During his junior season, Tim hit 0.494 as he helped Nease reach the Final Four of the Florida state playoffs. Tebow decided not to play baseball as a senior in high school as he turned his attention to football, where he ended up landing a scholarship to the University of Florida.
According to his agents, Jimmy Sexton and Nick Khan, Tim has spent the past year training in Arizona and Los Angeles as he attempts to make it as an outfielder. Despite his desire to chase his dream, Tebow has informed ESPN that he will honor his broadcast obligations with the network.
“Obviously we support Tim in his pursuit of a baseball career, as we have in all his ventures,” said Tebow’s football agent, Sexton, who is now working with CAA baseball agent Brodie Van Wagenen.
“Tim’s athletic ability, his work ethic, his leadership and his competitiveness were evident in football and will show in baseball. Knowing Tim’s passion and desire, we won’t be surprised by anything he accomplishes.”
Following the success of Tebow’s junior year in baseball, representatives from the Angels were so impressed by Tim that they were hoping to draft him once he graduated.
“He had a strong arm and had a lot of power. If he would have been there his senior year he definitely would have had a good chance to be drafted,” said scout Stephen Hargett in an interview with WEEI’s Rob Bradford. “He had leverage to his swing. He had some natural loft. He had some good power. He was a good athlete. He had enough arm for that position. He was a left-handed hitter with strength and some size.”
Report: #TimTebow , who turns 29 years old on Sunday, is now aiming to start a professional baseball career. https://t.co/vvyMQ88Tyi
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) August 9, 2016
Van Wagenen released a statement this morning on the perceived publicity stunt by Tebow, via Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports .
“This may sound like a publicity stunt, but nothing could be further from the truth. I have seen Tim’s workouts, and people inside and outside the industry – scouts, executives, players and fans – will be impressed by his talent. As an agent, I have a genuine respect for how hard it is to succeed at the game of baseball and a true admiration for those who possess the talent to play it at the Major League level. Tim’s tool set is real. His physicality is unique in professional baseball. 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.”
Tebow has been working with former MLB catcher Chad Moeller at Chad Moeller Baseball in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the former player couldn’t be more impressed with Tim’s ability.
“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. 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.”
Good luck to Tebow on his pursuit of his dreams!
[Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images]