Tim Tebow among Mets spring training non-roster invitees

For the most part, casual fans may not recognize the names of very many spring training non-roster invitees. But the Mets have one that almost every sports fan would know. 

Tim Tebow. 

That's right – Tebow is one of 15 Mets spring training non-roster invitees. Once again, he'll have an opportunity to prove himself. Even if he doesn't, he'll certainly draw a crowd to Port St. Lucie, Florida. 

Tebow is about as polarizing a minor-leaguer as you can find. The former Heisman Trophy winner and national champion for Florida under Urban Meyer made headlines when he decided to pursue professional baseball. 

Thus far, he's had a rough go. 

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Tebow has seen his last two seasons cut short by injury. When he suffered a cut on his left pinky in 2019, he had been hitting .163/.240/.255 with four homers and 19 RBI for Class AAA Syracuse. In 2018, he suffered a fractured right hamate bone in July after a successful stint at Class AA Binghamton in which he was named an Eastern League All-Star.

There's always a chance someone could surprise, but Tebow's likely ceiling is Class AAA. The Mets have a crowded outfield, especially when you consider that J.D. Davis and Jeff McNeil could play in both the infield and outfield. Still, all eyes will be on Tebow in spring training. 

Tebow dazzled on the college football stage. When his NFL career fizzled and he announced he'd try baseball, many were skeptical. There were some supporters, but he received ridicule. 

Tebow is easily one of the biggest names – if not the most notable – around minor-league baseball. Regardless of how his spring training goes, it'll at least be interesting to monitor.