Journeyman Daniel Nava Arrives For Good

Daniel Nava can flat out hit.

He proved it the very first moment he stepped into a major league batters box on June 12, 2010 when he hit the first major league pitch he ever saw for a grand slam home run off Joe Blantonof the Philadelphia Phillies.

Apr 8, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Daniel Nava (29) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Nava is probably a member of the Red Sox today because he simply hasn’t stopped hitting since.  Even though it’s been a bit of a bumpy ride for him along the way.

Nava hasn’t always been a member of the major league club.  In fact, he was designated for assignment in May of 2011 and no other major league team claimed him.  This allowed him to return to Triple-A Pawtucket to resume his minor league career in the Boston system.

Despite not being invited to major league camp last year, he continued to hit in the minors and when a need arose with the big club last season due to injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford, Nava got the call and was ready.

Why am I telling you all of this?  Because Nava is simply the most under appreciated player on the Red Sox.  The official numbers may not show it in his .251 lifetime average but every time you turn around and watch Nava all he does is hit.

Case in point?  Opening day this season at Fenway.  The first time in his professional career Nava ever opened a season on a major league roster.

He came up in the seventh inning of a scoreless game, a game in which Clay Buchholz was outstanding, and jacks a three run bomb into the Monster seats to propel the Sox to their only runs in a 3-1 victory on opening day, giving Clay a much deserved win.

Apr 8, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) and first baseman Mike Napoli (12) congratulate left fielder Daniel Nava (29) after hitting a three run home run during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Considering what he’s been through in his baseball career it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

After never playing Division I college baseball and going undrafted by every major league team,  The Sox found this guy back in 2007 in the Independent League playing for the Chico Outlaws.  They paid $1 for his services with the stipulation that they would pay the Outlaws another $1499 if he was kept by Boston after spring training.  It turned out to be $1500 well spent.

There are more glamorous players on this Red Sox team than Nava, but nobody has a story quite like his. Not only is the story great, he can play too.

I just wanted to point out that Red Sox Nation should give this kid a tip of the cap whenever they can and appreciate the path he’s taken.  If you understand his story you can’t help but cheer for him.

After all, every time you turn around the guy is getting a hit and giving you a reason to do so anyway.