Timothy John Tawa (born April 7, 1999) is an American professional baseball utility player for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025, wearing number 13 for Arizona. Tawa is a versatile defender who can play multiple positions across the diamond, making him a valuable asset for the Diamondbacks as he continues his major league career following an impressive climb through the minor leagues.
Early Life and Background
Timothy John Tawa grew up in West Linn, Oregon, where he attended West Linn High School. During his high school years, Tawa excelled in two sports, earning recognition as an exceptional quarterback on the football field and a talented baseball player on the diamond. His athletic achievements earned him Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Oregon three times for football and once for baseball. Tawa was also named the MaxPreps Male High School Athlete of the Year, cementing his status as one of Oregon’s top dual-sport athletes.
Amateur Career
As West Linn’s quarterback, Tawa put up remarkable numbers that still stand as Oregon state records. He accumulated 11,337 passing yards, threw 143 touchdown passes, and completed 714 passes during his high school career. As a senior, Tawa led West Linn High School to a state championship victory over Central Catholic High School. His football backfield included running back Elijah Molden, and his offensive line featured Alex Forsyth, both of whom would go on to play college football. Tawa’s head coach at West Linn was Chris Miller.
Despite his football success, Tawa chose to pursue baseball at the collegiate level. He enrolled at Stanford University and played for the Stanford Cardinal baseball team. Tawa selected baseball over football because he enjoyed the sport more and believed he had greater professional potential on the diamond. During the summer of 2019, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier amateur wood-bat leagues in the United States.
Professional Career
Minor League Development (2021–2024)
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Tawa in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, picking him 318th overall. He began his professional career that same year, splitting time between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Diamondbacks and the Single-A Visalia Rawhide. In his first professional season, Tawa hit .269 with six home runs, 22 runs batted in, and 14 stolen bases across 38 total games.
He continued his development in 2022 with the High-A Hillsboro Hops and Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles. Tawa appeared in 118 games and posted a .239 batting average with a .331 on-base percentage and .369 slugging percentage. He added 13 home runs, 53 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. The following year, Tawa returned to Amarillo and played in 116 games, improving his offensive output to .256/.338/.461 with 22 home runs, 75 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.
His breakthrough season came in 2024 when Tawa split time between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno Aces. He posted a .279/.349/.519 batting line with 31 home runs, 90 RBI, and 14 stolen bases, demonstrating the power-speed combination that made him a prospect to watch. Following that strong season, the Diamondbacks added Tawa to their 40-man roster on November 19, 2024, to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
MLB Debut and 2025 Season
The Diamondbacks optioned Tawa to Triple-A Reno to begin the 2025 season. On April 5, 2025, Arizona promoted him to the major leagues for the first time following an injury to Ketel Marte. Tawa made his MLB debut that same day against the Washington Nationals, recording his first career hit in the process. He earned regular playing time as a utility player, appearing in 74 games during his rookie campaign. On April 16, 2025, Tawa hit his first career home run, connecting against Tyler Phillips of the Miami Marlins.
Throughout his rookie season, Tawa displayed the defensive versatility that characterized his minor league career. He batted .201 with a .274 on-base percentage and .347 slugging percentage, contributing seven home runs, 18 RBI, and eight stolen bases. While his offensive numbers were modest, his ability to play multiple positions provided the Diamondbacks with valuable lineup flexibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
On April 26, 2026, Tawa recorded one of the most memorable moments of his young career when he hit a grand slam off David Morgan. This dramatic home run helped power the Diamondbacks to a 12-7 victory over the San Diego Padres in the final game of the MLB Mexico City Series. The grand slam demonstrated Tawa’s ability to deliver in clutch situations on a big stage.
Career Performance Summary
Throughout his professional career, Tawa has demonstrated consistent offensive production as he climbed the minor league ladder. His ability to hit for power and average while stealing bases made him one of Arizona’s more promising young position players. The jump from Triple-A to the majors represented the culmination of four years of development in the Diamondbacks system.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor League (2021–2024) | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| MLB (2025) | Not Applicable | 74 Appearances | Not Applicable |
Personal Life
Beyond baseball, Tawa maintains connections to his college baseball roots at Stanford. He graduated from Stanford University, where he balanced athletics with academics. When not playing baseball, Tawa enjoys various hobbies and activities. He continues to build on the foundation established during his amateur career as he progresses through his professional baseball journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Tawa’s introduction to major league baseball following his promotion from Triple-A Reno in April. His debut came under challenging circumstances when the Diamondbacks needed to fill a void in their infield due to Ketel Marte’s injury. Tawa responded by making his first career hit in his debut game against the Nationals, providing an immediate positive impression. His first career home run against Miami later that month gave him a signature moment to build upon.
Throughout the season, Tawa settled into a utility role that required him to play multiple positions while facing major league pitching for the first time. The adjustment period was typical for a rookie making the jump from Triple-A, and his offensive numbers reflected the inherent challenges of that transition. Nevertheless, his defensive versatility remained a consistent strength that kept him in the lineup. As the Diamondbacks looked to develop their young talent, Tawa’s performance provided the organization with useful information about his potential role moving forward. The experience gained during the 2025 campaign will serve as a foundation for his continued growth in the seasons ahead.