Diamondbacks’ Tim Tawa records hit in 1st MLB at-bat

One swing, one hit.

Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Tim Tawa was thrust into Saturday’s lineup after star second baseman Ketel Marte suffered a hamstring strain on Friday, and Tawa quickly recorded his first knock.

Tawa, after traveling across the country to debut at the Washington Nationals, lined a single up the middle in his first plate appearance in front of family in attendance.

A moment he'll never forget.

Congrats, @tim_tawa! pic.twitter.com/y8E8CQ1l9I

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 5, 2025

Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker threw Tawa a 1-0 fastball in the zone that the 25-year-old newcomer laced 100 mph off the bat to left-center field in the third inning. That was Arizona’s lone hit until the sixth.

Tawa’s Reno teammates watched the hit on the big screen and celebrated while warming up back at Greater Nevada Field.

Cool moment here in Reno. Tim Tawa got called up today to make his Major League debut in Washington against the Nats. D-Backs game playing on the video board as the Aces drop what they’re doing and watch Tawa get his first MLB hit.

Baseball is, as they say, the best pic.twitter.com/VLaJnorJ4O

— Andy Helwig (@andy_helwig) April 5, 2025

Tawa led off the sixth inning with a four-pitch walk against Parker, and he scored his first run on an RBI single by Randal Grichuk.

In the seventh, Tawa came up with runners on the corners and one out. He hit a sharp grounder toward the 5-6 hole, but Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams made the play to get the out at second. Tawa beat the throw to first to avoid a double play and pick up his first career RBI.

The D-backs, though, fell to the Nationals 4-3 after trailing 4-0.

The Diamondbacks placed Marte on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, opting to give Tawa the opportunity to fill in.

The right-handed hitter started the season 9-for-23 with three home runs in Triple-A Reno. He hit 31 homers, 33 doubles and recorded 14 stolen bases last season between Triple-A and Double-A Amarillo.

Tim Tawa gets the call

The Diamondbacks released a video of Reno manager Jeff Gardner telling Tawa, “Your’e going.”

“I’m going?” Tawa responded before putting his head in his hands, all while holding a bat.

“Are you serious?”

The moment Tim Tawa found out he was a big leaguer 🥹

Good luck in The Show, Tim ❤️ @MiLB | @Dbacks | #Aceball pic.twitter.com/wCN47KPPYV

— Reno Aces (@Aces) April 5, 2025

Tawa was an 11th round pick out of Stanford in 2021. He participated in major league camp this spring but did not crack the active roster. He’s now set up to fill a notable role as Marte recovers.

Related

Diamondbacks place Ketel Marte on IL, call up Tim TawaDiamondbacks' Ketel Marte limps off field, exits game vs. NationalsCorbin Carroll expected back in Diamondbacks lineup Tuesday vs. AthleticsKohl Drake to make MLB debut for Diamondbacks Tuesday vs. A’sDiamondbacks disappoint by following historic comeback with loss to struggling AthleticsDiamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado joins 2,000-hit club: ‘I’m happy to do it here’