Mets GM thinks NFL QB-turned-outfielder Tim Tebow will make it to the majors despite unimpressive minor league season in 2017

• The Heisman Trophy winner is 30 and isn't typically considered a major prospect
• Tebow hit .226 with eight home runs, 52 runs batted in, and 126 strikeouts in 126 games for the Mets’ two Class-A minor league affiliates in 2017 
• Mets GM Sandy Alderson: 'The notion he should've been excluded from the game because he's not coming through the traditional sources is crazy. This is entertainment too. He quietly entertains us'
• Despite making only $10k in 2017, Tebow was worth nearly $1.6 million in additional ticket, parking, and concession sales, according to Baseball America
• It's not uncommon for teams to promote newsworthy players after rosters expand in September, as in 1997, when the Reds called up Pete Rose Jr.

A 30-year-old with unimpressive numbers at the lower rungs of minor league baseball might not sound like much of a prospect, but New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson still believes former NFL quarterback-turned outfielder Tim Tebow will eventually make it to the majors.

'I think he will play in the major leagues,' Alderson said of Tebow. 'That's my guess. That's my hope and to some extent now after a year and a half, a modest expectation.

'The notion he should've been excluded from the game because he's not coming through the traditional sources is crazy,' Alderson continued. 'This is entertainment too. He quietly entertains us.' 

Tim Tebow (15) smiles as he warms up on the field before the start of the second game of a double header MiLB minor league baseball game between the Palm Beach Cardinals and the St. Lucie Mets at the First Data Field in Port St Lucie, Florida on June 28, 2017

Tebow, who arrived at the Mets' spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida on Sunday, hit just .226 with eight home runs and 52 RBIs in 126 games split between Single-A Columbia and St. Lucie last season.

The good news was that he helped minor league baseball attendance rise its highest levels since 1994, when NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan played Double-A baseball during his year-long sabbatical from basketball.

'I'm happy he's here,' Alderson said. 'I think he's great for the team and great for baseball and was phenomenal for minor league baseball last year.

Alderson is held in high regard in baseball circles after first becoming general manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1981. Not only did he acquire and develop Rookie of the Year winners Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, and Walt Weiss, but the A's went on to win a World Series in 1989. Alderson was also named Baseball America's 'Executive of the Year' in 2015.

Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida and former quarterback with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets, had last played competitive baseball in high school before signing with the Mets in September 2016 before participating in the Arizona Fall League.

Sandy Alderson first became a general manager with the Oakland Athletics in 1981, helping to acquire and develop three consecutive American League Rookie of the Year winners - Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, and Walt Weiss - en route to a World Series title in 1989. He was named Baseball America's Executive of the Year in 2015 as a member of the Mets 

He was previously an All-State baseball player at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida. 

'He's been super for us the first year-plus,' Alderson said. 'He's made progress on the field and he's dedicated himself to improving. He has spent a lot of time in the offseason working with hitting coaches.'

Tebow is not on the Mets' 40-man roster, but the expectation is he will begin the season with Double-A Binghamton.

During his press conference, Tebow responded to Alderson's statement about him playing in the big leagues at some point.

'My goal isn't about what's going to happen one day,' Tebow said Sunday. 'My goal is to focus on this day -- our outfield work, my training session, getting to know all our new coaches. I'm working as hard as I can.

Tim Tebow won two national championships and a Heisman Trophy while at Florida 

After a stellar career at Florida, Tebow became a first-round selection in the NFL Draft, getting selected with the 25th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2010. 'One of the important things about being an athlete is being able to lock in and have tunnel vision, because I can't worry about if one day I'm going to play in the bigs or not. I got into this because I love it, I'm passionate about it, and for me it's about being able to lock in and have tunnel vision regardless of what team I'm on or where they decide to put me.'

Tebow has maintained his role as college football analyst for SEC Network.

Given his unimpressive statistics in Single-A, and the fact that he's over 30, Tebow is not considered a tremendous prospect. However, there is a long history of baseball teams promoting newsworthy players after rosters expand in September. 

In 2017 - his first full summer of minor league baseball - Tebow helped two New York Mets Single-A affiliates record new records in ticket sales 

In 1997, for instance, the Cincinnati Reds called up Pete Rose Jr. - the son of franchise hero, baseball's all-time hit leader, and disgraced former manager Pete Rose. The following year the Reds promoted Stephen Larkin, the younger brother of All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin. 

And if nothing else, Tebow can draw a crowd.  

In 2017 - his first full summer of minor league baseball - Tebow helped two New York Mets Single-A affiliates record new records in ticket sales. 

First, the Columbia Fireflies saw a 21 percent increase in ticket sales, which translates to an additional 54,000 fans over the previous season, according to ESPN. Then, after being promoted to the Florida State League on June 28, Tebow's presence pushed the St. Lucie Mets' attendance up by 35,803 fans, a 37 percent improvement from last year.

And when Tebow was on the road, opposing home teams saw an a increase of 2,591 more fans a game than they averaged against other foes, according to ESPN.

Jordan did have the advantage of playing in larger stadiums and at a higher level of the minors than Tebow.

The Chicago Bulls legend pushed the Birmingham Barons' attendance to 467,686 fans in 1994, according to ESPN. In fact, the 6,884 fans per game the Barons drew that season remains a franchise and Southern League record.

For Tebow, the sales spike made him one of the best values in baseball. Despite making only $10,000 for the year, Tebow was worth nearly $1.6 million in additional ticket, parking, and concession sales, according to an early-season valuation by Baseball America. 

Tebow was once a first-round pick in the NFL Draft back, getting selected with the 25th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2010.

He even had a successful season under center in 2011, going 7-4 and winning a playoff game against Pittsburgh that season.

However, accuracy issues limited his potential as a quarterback and he ultimately failed to win the starting job with the New York Jets in 2012. Tebow went on to have brief stints with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, but never officially played for either team in a regular season game.

The Columbia Fireflies saw a 21 percent increase in ticket sales in 2017, which translates to an additional 54,000 fans over the previous season, according to ESPN

Credit: MailOnline

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