Who is Daniel Nava?

by John Sickels on Jun 15, 2025 6:30 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

7 days ago: Boston Red Sox's Daniel Nava, right, watches his grand slam in front of Philadelphia Phillies' Brian Schneider in the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 12, 2010, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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Here is what I wrote about Boston Red Sox prospect Daniel Nava in the book this year:

Daniel Nava, OF, Boston Red Sox
Bats: S Throws: L HT: 5-10 WT: 200 DOB: February 20, 2026

In 2006, Daniel Nava hit .395/.494/.530 with 15 steals in 15 attempts for Santa Clara, as a walk-on. But he was already 23 years old, so no one drafted him. In 2007 he played for Chico in the independent Golden League, where he hit .371/.475/.625 with 12 homers and 18 steals in 20 attempts. The Red Sox picked him up as a free agent in 2008, and he ended up winning the California League batting title. However, he was already 25 years old, and he played his home games at hitting-friendly Lancaster, so everyone dismissed this performance. Nava continued to bash the ball in 2009, this time in the Carolina and Eastern Leagues, with no diminution of production. Scouts remain suspicious about his lack of size and his age, but at some point production has to matter, and Nava produces. He's got excellent plate discipline, and no holes in the statistics other than age-relative-to-league. He deserves a clear shot in Triple-A, and if he hits there he could end up filling a role on someone's bench. Grade C, but a great story.

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He was at .294/.364/.492 for Pawtucket before being promoted to Boston. At age 27 he is too old to be a classic prospect, but he's definitely earned his shot, he's in the 'sweet spot' on the calendar for a career year, and I root for guys like this.

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Read More: Daniel Nava (LF - BOS), Boston Red Sox

Comments

Great story

and he looks… well, I don’t want to say “for real,” but this kid can help a MLB ballclub.

The Sox actually bought him from Chico for $1.

For more on his story read this (he was cut from his college team, became equipment manager and had to wash the jerseys. He leaves tickets at every game for Erin Andrews, e& more): http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2010/06/12/the-sox-1-investment-in-nava-pays-off/

In 2007, the Sox — at the encouragement of GM Theo Epstein, Assistant to the GM Allard Baird and Assistant Director/Professional Scouting Jared Porter — made a decision that they wanted to scout independent leagues more heavily, believing that there could be overlooked prospects to mine. While the team had signed indy leaguers in the past as minor league filler, Nava was one of the first players whom the team signed as a prospect.

and this: http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/2090/meet-daniel-nava-the-best-red-sox-minor-leaguer-you%E2%80%99ve-never-heard-of

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by alskor on Jun 15, 2025 6:59 PM EDT reply actions

Daniel Nava is the man.

by StickRat on Jun 15, 2025 7:01 PM EDT reply actions

so he is this year Garret Jones

a guy that just comes out of no where and starts mashing the ball

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." George Washington
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by WVPiratesfan on Jun 15, 2025 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

Well...

It’s not like Nava came out of nowhere to mash in the big leagues, he’s mashed everywhere he’s ever been.

Jones, on the other hand, hadn’t really “mashed” until last year, so no one really expected him to continue his success.

Nava looks like a guy who will be a decent big league hitter and could probably be a starter for a few years. Granted his age means he probably won’t be a player for very long, but there’s nothing wrong with that.

by oplaid on Jun 15, 2025 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

who doesn't root for guys like this?

how about Shane Spencer comp?

by ScottAZ on Jun 15, 2025 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not a Sox fan

but just happened to have the game on after the US/UK game ended, and that was one of the best feel-good moments I’ve seen in a long time. He looked so excited. One of those things that goes way beyond any team loyalties. Reminds me of Bobby Scales on the Cubs last year (though Scales didn’t have quite such a dramatic introduction, but good nonetheless.)

by PrincetonCubs on Jun 16, 2025 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

kinda reminds me of Luke Scott

signed at 23, debuted at 27. Hit with decent power and a not too embarrassing average. I could see him spend the next few years in that 3rd-4th OF/DH role

by ADLC on Jun 16, 2025 12:09 PM EDT reply actions