Tim Tebow displays power, earns mixed scouting reviews at MLB workout

LOS ANGELES - Tim Tebow put on an impressive power display for a throng of major league scouts on Tuesday, but struggled against live pitching and received mixed reviews for his physical tools in a two-hour workout.

More than 12 years after Tebow last played baseball in high school, the former Heisman Trophy winner hit eight balls over the fence at USC's Dedeaux Field, including shots that cleared a scoreboard and reached the trees in right field. The lefty also hit an opposite-field drive that cleared the left field wall.

Tebow, 29, looked less impressive during live batting practice against former major league relievers Chad Smith and David Aardsma. Smith's fastball topped out at 92 mph, and Tebow put four of Smith's first 20 pitches in play, cracking a line drive to center field that would have been the only sure hit in the bunch. He also lined two balls to shortstop and grounded to second base in displaying decent bat speed

"I thought he was OK. Better than I expected, to be honest," said one major league scout who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about his assessment. "For not having played as long as he had, I thought he did OK.

"That's a big dude, for as fast as he can run. The power was impressive, but I wish he could have translated it maybe a little better (against live pitching)."

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Against Aardsma, Tebow - listed by his agents at 6-3 and 255 pounds - hit the top of the left field fence, hit another ball that reached the base of the fence and sprayed several line drives.

Tebow opened many more eyes during batting practice, his display taking aback several of the estimated 40 scouts in attendance. "That was big power," one scout said. "He was mis-hitting the ball out of the park."

Earlier, running in blue spandex shorts, a white top, and gold and red cleats, Tebow ran the 60-yard dash and was clocked in a range of 6.65 to 6.82 seconds, ranging from average to above average on the major league scale.

Tebow then switched into baseball pants, a navy blue top and black cleats for outfield work, but scouts were not overly impressed by his throws from right field to second base, third base and home. One scout graded Tebow's arm a 45 on the 20 to 80 scouting scale; 50 is considered average, 45 slightly below average. Another scout noted that Tebow's throws had "a little arc, but just fair carry. There is some strength."

Tebow caught every catchable ball, chasing down balls in and out of play without incident. A third scout was slightly more bullish watching him in center field, grading him a 50 defender. "A playable, serviceable defender," the scout said.

Tebow's workout came before at least 50 media members. About 40 scouts - not necessarily representing all 30 major league clubs - gathered for the showcase. At least one major league scouting director was on hand, albeit with the advantage of proximity.

Tebow has not played baseball since 2004, his junior year of high school, after which he focused on football and went on to win a Heisman Trophy and two national championships at Florida.

GALLERY: TIM TEBOW'S SHOWCASE