LOS ANGELES — Getting quality jumps and running efficient routes is a necessity to man the outfield, but so is not being afraid, as Arizona Diamondbacks first base/outfielders coach Dave McKay put it. He pointed to the third deck at Dodger Stadium, set to host over 50,000 fans in what has become quite a rivalry matchup over the past couple seasons.
D-backs rookie utility man Tim Tawa has looked plenty comfortable stepping into that arena over the past couple weeks, as his opportunities to play have shifted from second base to center field.
There’s always a risk in moving a young player around defensively as they adapt to a new level, but Tawa has done this for a long time. He came up with outfield experience from the minor leagues and college and has embraced the challenge of filling in any role needed.
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“I was telling (manager Torey Lovullo) — who was concerned will he be able to pick us up in the outfield — I said he’ll be a better outfielder than infielder,” McKay told Arizona Sports. “And he’s been doing a good job for us in the infield.
“He works at it. There’s lot of things you can do to simplify being an outfielder. … Working on jumps, first steps and being told the next day what your jumps for were like. So he’s been really receptive to all that.”
Tawa told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke he enjoys the differences between playing infield and outfield, saying he gets asked a lot which he prefers.
The answer is both, obviously.
“With the outfield, you’ll play a little more free,” Tawa said on Wednesday. “It’s more just be an athlete, go get the ball. There’s technique and finesse to it, but that’s how I think about it. Whereas the infield, you’re involved in every play. There’s a little bit more intricacy and detail and preparation. So both have perks. I’ve always answered that by saying I like being versatile.”
Tawa has played 40 innings of outfield defense and has accumulated one defensive run saved and one out above average so far. He’s started games in center and left field and gives the D-backs a right-handed bench bat able to plug in anywhere. That’s particularly helpful considering Arizona’s starting center fielder is a left-handed bat in Alek Thomas, while fellow left-handed outfielder Jake McCarthy remains in Triple-A.
Tawa has the speed and athleticism to handle center field, where he made a couple running catches in the gaps at Dodger Stadium on Monday.
“I’ve been super impressed with him,” right fielder Corbin Carroll said. “Whether it’s center, left, second base, to be able to move around the way he has and it just seems seamless. Having played with him in the outfield a little bit, I feel like communication’s been good.”
Tawa is not playing every day, he’s filling in where needed and that in itself is a juggling act.
His bat has held up with an above-average .760 OPS in 101 plate appearances. He hit five home runs in his first 69 PAs, and while the ball hasn’t left the yard since then, he’s batting .333 over his last 32 opportunities.
He’s actually 11th on the team in WAR (Baseball Reference) at 0.7, just ahead of Josh Naylor and right behind Zac Gallen.
Tawa credits his multi-sport upbringing for helping him adapt. He was not just a football player during his high school days in Oregon, he was a star quarterback, much to the delight of our Ron Wolfley. Tawa is a three-time Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, and he also played basketball.
“I think that it helps with your toughness and your competitive drive and energy,” Tawa said.
“Football is so intense sometimes and working with everybody on one single play, all 11 guys, that camaraderie and that teamwork is learned. … It helps you be a better athlete and that definitely can apply to the baseball field. But I think when I was younger, learning that teamwork and the competitiveness really translates.”
.@Dbacks utility man Tim Tawa joined @wolf987FM and @LukeLapinski earlier today and discussed his versatility.
Full interview: t.co/YZSqevA6JC pic.twitter.com/gltlLPZ81t
— Wolf & Luke on Arizona Sports (@WolfandLuke) May 22, 2025
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