Tim Tawa is a right-handed first baseman from West Linn, Oregon, who broke into the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 5, 2025. Now 27, Tawa is working to carve out a permanent spot on a competitive MLB roster — and his 2026 numbers suggest he’s trending in the right direction: .250 AVG, 8 home runs, 32 RBI, and a .712 OPS.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Tim Tawa
- Position: First Base
- Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
- Number: 13
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’11» / 205 lb
- Born: April 7, 1999 (27 years old)
- Hometown: West Linn, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸
- MLB Debut: April 5, 2025
Background
Tawa grew up in the Pacific Northwest and developed into a first-base prospect with steady offensive tools. His minor-league track record caught Arizona’s attention, and the Diamondbacks gave him his shot on Opening Week 2025 — a milestone moment for any ballplayer.
His rookie year was a grind. Tawa hit .201 with 7 home runs, 18 RBI, 29 runs scored, and a .621 OPS — the kind of debut numbers that reflect the steep learning curve of the majors. He did show one unexpected wrinkle, though: 8 stolen bases, a hint that there’s more to his game than the traditional first-base profile suggests.
Career Progression
Year two told a better story. In 2026, Tawa raised his average nearly 50 points to .250, matched his home run total at 8, nearly doubled his RBI output to 32, and pushed his OPS up to .712. He also swiped 7 bases, giving him 15 stolen bases across his first two MLB seasons — a surprising number for a corner infielder.
That speed-and-contact combination is what makes Tawa an interesting piece for Arizona going forward. First base is typically a power-first position, but Tawa’s willingness to run adds a dimension most teams don’t expect from that spot in the lineup.
Career Stats
- 2026 — Arizona Diamondbacks: .250 AVG | 8 HR | 32 RBI | 26 R | .712 OPS | 7 SB
- 2025 — Arizona Diamondbacks: .201 AVG | 7 HR | 18 RBI | 29 R | .621 OPS | 8 SB
Awards & Recognition
Tawa hasn’t collected individual hardware yet — no Silver Slugger, no All-Star nod. He’s only two seasons into his MLB career, and those kinds of honors will depend on how his bat develops over the next few years.
One Thing You Might Not Know
For a first baseman — a position built around power — Tawa has been remarkably active on the bases. His 15 stolen bases in two MLB seasons put him in rare company among corner infielders and hint at an athleticism that doesn’t always show up in the box score. Don’t sleep on the speed.
