Tim Tebow To Play In Arizona Fall League

Tim Tebow (Tom DiPace)

Tim Tebow is taking the next step in his longshot bid at a pro baseball career.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, who had a brief-but-highly publicized NFL career, signed with the Mets on Sept. 8 after working out in front of scouts for 28 of the 30 major league teams.

The Mets sent him to their instructional league in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and he hit a home run on the first pitch he saw from the Cardinals’ John Kilichowski. Apparently satisfied with what they’ve seen from Tebow in instructs, the Mets have assigned the former Florida quarterback to the Arizona Fall League.

“Working in the Instructional League has been a lot of fun and productive,” Tebow said in a statement released by the Mets. “We worked hard and I was able to see a lot of pitches and work on different things. There was great coaching and I tried to improve every day. I plan to use the Fall League as an opportunity to improve. It’s a blessing and a great opportunity.”

Tebow, 29, who had not played baseball since his junior year at Nease High in Ponte Vedra, Fla., will now compete against some of the game’s best prospects. At the time Tebow signed, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said an AFL assignment was possible.

“We want Tim to play in more games to continue developing his skills on the field while facing advanced competition,” Alderson said in a statement today.

The Mets have looked to try to accelerate Tebow’s development with an intensive offseason in preparation for his arrival at spring training next year. Tebow was assigned to the Scottsdale Scorpions, who are managed by Mets first base coach Tom Goodwin.

When Tebow signed with the Mets, they agreed to allow him to skip Friday and Saturday workouts in instructional league in order to fulfill his contract as a broadcaster for ESPN and the SEC Network on college football broadcasts. That same arrangement will carry over to the AFL, as Tebow is expected to miss Friday and Saturday’s games. It’s worth noting that the AFL does not play on Sundays, and that the Arizona Fall League allows for a taxi squad for players who play just twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday.

Tebow’s presence in the Arizona Fall League will likely bring additional attention to the league. MLB Network has traditionally broadcast a few games from the league every year. That number may jump significantly now.