Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow has completed the first step in his attempts to play MLB baseball, getting signed by a team. The New York Mets have took a chance on the former Heisman Trophy Winner and NFL quarterback, signing Tebow to a minor-league contract. He is currently in the fall instructional league in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets have stated that this is not a publicity stunt, being “intrigued” by Tebow’s potential. Mets general manager said that this decision “was strictly driven by baseball.” While we have seen Tebow’s sports career have ups-and-downs, we can conclude that this kid just does not give up. It seems after being rejected by team after team, he just gains more motivation. Many people have claimed he’s too old or that he’s too distracted with his work with ESPN. Tebow has not played baseball since high school, so can he really play at the MLB level? Aside from all the claims, can Tim Tebow really make it in baseball?

There is no doubt that has Tim Tebow is one fantastic athlete. Being one of the best college quarterbacks of his time, he has proven he can play. His physique and skill set can be beneficial for any sport, but can it transform for baseball? Not only at the minor league level, but certainly at the MLB level, it takes a skill set that normally takes years of refinement. Realistically, I believe there are two extremes to this Tim Tebow baseball fiasco.

The first possible outcome is that he just wanders around in the minor leagues, signing from team to team, looking for a place where he can really exceed. According to MLB.com, just just over 5000 minor league players battle it out every year for a roster spot on an MLB team. With a number like that, the odds are stacked against Tebow. USA Today Sports give him a 5000 to 1 chance to make it in the MLB. With odds like that, Tebow can only dream of being on a MLB team, let only have any success at all on one. Tebow has proven us wrong many times, but he will have to start putting up some numbers on the baseball diamond before anyone starts to believe.

At the other end of the spectrum, there is the possibility that he becomes a successful minor league player. Again, with the athleticism and physique Tim Tebow has, there are certainly chances that his skills can perform in a wide variety of sports. The biggest factor that will hinder Tebow’s chances is his age. The average age of a minor leaguer in Triple A is 27. As you move down the levels, the number drops—24 in Double A, 22 in Single A, and 20 in rookie ball. Tebow is definitely out of his comfort zone. Obviously, most of the young players and rookies have time to develop. Tebow’s biggest enemy is his age, but he could very well prove us all wrong. The best situation Tebow can be in is being a successful minor-league player, and that is the best outcome in Tebow’s future.

Those are the two most likely outcomes that we could see in Tebow’s career. It is hard to deny that Tebow is a dominating athlete, but again, it is his age that will create the most problems for him. In the past, Tebow has proved us all wrong, shutting out the haters and playing his best. No matter your view on this situation, it will be a very entertaining career to watch.