Mets move Tim Tebow up to Double-A to start 2018
New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow is getting a promotion in 2018. The 30-year-old quarterback-turned-outfielder will begin the season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in Double-A.
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That’s a step up for Tebow, who finished 2017 in High A. In 242 plate appearances at that level, Tebow hit .231/.307/.356, with five home runs.
Pushing Tebow to Double-A seems aggressive considering his struggles last season, but his advanced age has to be a factor for the club. Tebow is already at the tail end of his baseball prime. He’ll soon hit an age where many players start to see some regression. Because of that, the team likely wants to see if Tebow can move through the system quickly.
After a full year in the minors in 2017, Tebow’s spring numbers were still a little rough. He had just one hit in 18 at-bats, striking out 11 times. Tebow was sent down early in camp, but kept an optimistic outlook on the situation.
During Tebow’s brief minor-league career, the Mets have shown a willingness to promote him quickly, whether he performs or not. Given that he’s starting in Double-A in 2018, there’s a chance he could move up around mid-season once again.
At that point, he would be in Triple-A, just one step away from the majors. And if September rolls around and the Mets aren’t in the postseason hunt … we’re not saying it’s going to happen, but we’re not ruling it out either.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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