Tebow homers on first pitch at instructs

If there were any questions about whether Tim Tebow was taking his new baseball career seriously, the outfielder made an effort to provide an answer quickly.

The former NFL quarterback homered on the first pitch he saw in an instructional league game for the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida, before getting swarmed by teammates Wednesday. Tebow's blast came off Cardinals left-hander John Kilichowski, who was St. Louis' 11th-round pick out of Vanderbilt this summer. Kilichowski had allowed just one home run in 47 at-bats against left-handed hitters this past season in the Minors after surrendering one in 26 1/3 innings at Vanderbilt in 2016.

Tebow, batting second in the Mets lineup, grounded out in his second at-bat.

"I honestly feel every day I get a little more comfortable," Tebow told MLB.com. "Just being able to see live pitches and live at-bats. I think just every approach, every day, all the work we're putting in -- we're getting better every day, that's the goal."

It was the first impression Tebow, the Mets and the assembled fans -- 269 of them, the team said -- were hoping for. The former Broncs and Jets quarterback signed with New York last month and has since been the center of attention at Mets camp in Florida as he begins an unlikely career change. Until now, the 29-year-old has been working out and participating in baseball drills with Minor League teammates and coaches. Earlier last week, Tebow was seen learning how to making sliding outfield catches.

Here's the video of #Tebow's home run. pic.twitter.com/EVId65fT3O

- Luis Torres (@LFTorresIII) September 28, 2016

Tebow's raw power has been among his biggest assets, though. Major League veteran Gary Sheffield raved about the Heisman Trophy winner's athletic ability and home run power over the summer, and Tebow finally had a chance to show it off Wednesday.

"Watching Tim Tebow hit, people will find it hard to believe when I say he has bat speed," Sheffield told USA Today earlier this month. "He has that sound that so few ballplayers have when it comes off the bat. You can't make it up; I'm a former baseball player, and if I've heard that sound before, I know when I hear it again. And I heard that sound with him. So the question is: Can he do this at 29? That's got to be the biggest issue with him."

Tebow is expected to remain in Florida with the Mets while juggling his duties as college football analyst for ESPN this fall. The Mets could potentially keep him in St. Lucie or send him to an offseason league to continue getting game experiences.