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'Someone Will Give Him A Chance': Tebow Impresses MLB Scouts With Raw Power During Workout

LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It appears Tim Tebow might have a future in baseball after all.

More than 20 teams watched Tebow's workout in Los Angeles, and some scouts came away impressed with his power.

Before dozens of scouts, the former Heisman-winning quarterback ran a 60-yard dash in 6.7 seconds, threw to bases from right field, ran routes on fly balls in center field, took batting practice and had live at-bats against former MLB pitchers.

According to Scout Media's Taylor Blake Ward, Tebow hit nine home runs during batting practice, including one that was crushed over the scoreboard.

When Tebow faced former Major League pitcher Chad Smith, he went 1-5 with a single and a walk. Against David Aardsma, he went 2-6 with a double.

"That raw power is irreplaceable," one National League scout told Scout Media.

A Major League scouting director praised Tebow's workout to ESPN's Jim Bowden.

"'Tim Tebow work out was certainly good enough that someone will give him a chance. Running and Power were his best two tools," Bowden tweeted about what the scouting director told him.

Despite the rave reviews of his power, Tebow didn't display a great arm in the field. Three scouts told ESPN they graded his arm as well below-average.

last played organized baseball in high school, hitting .494 as a junior for Nease High School in Florida. He didn't play baseball as a senior, concentrating instead on football.

"He was a six-tool player," Tebow's high school coach, Greg "Boo" Mullins, said in a 2013 interview with The Sporting News. "He has arm strength, he could run, he could hit, he could hit for power, he could field, but his character made him that six-tool guy."

Agent Brodie Van Wagenen, the co-head of CAA Baseball, said in a statement that the workout is not a publicity stunt.

"His work ethic is unprecedented, and his passion for the game is infectious. He knows the challenges that lie ahead of him given his age and experience, but he is determined to achieve his goal of playing in the Major Leagues," Van Wagenen said.

Tebow, 29, has been training in Scottsdale, Arizona, with former major league catcher Chad Moeller.

"I am beyond impressed with Tim's athleticism and swing, and it goes without saying that he has shown a high level of discipline and strong work ethic," Moeller said in a statement released by CAA. "I see bat speed and power and real baseball talent. I truly believe Tim has the skill set and potential to achieve his goal of playing in the Major Leagues, and based on what I have seen over the past two months, it could happen relatively quickly."

Tebow won the Heisman and two national championships with the University of Florida and was drafted in the first round by the Broncos in in 2010. He has not played in the NFL since 2012 with the Jets. He went to training camp with the New England Patriots in 2013 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 but was cut before the season each time.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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