Daniel Nava

Daniel James Nava (born February 22, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Philadelphia Phillies. Nava is only the fourth player in MLB history to hit a grand slam in his first major league at bat and the second to do it on the first pitch.

Early life Nava was born in Redwood City, California. He played baseball at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, California and received his psychology degree from Santa Clara University. He was and in his freshman year in high school and grew to and by his senior year.

After an opportunity to walk-on to the Santa Clara University baseball team, he failed to make the team as a player and became the team equipment manager.

He left Santa Clara after two years because he could no longer afford the tuition. He tried out for the baseball team on the encouragement of an old friend he happened to run into at a gym. and eventually offered him a full scholarship. He had a .395 batting average with a .494 on-base percentage (OBP) in his lone season with the Broncos, both tops in the West Coast Conference (WCC), and earned first-team All-WCC honors. He accrued 15 stolen bases without being caught, and he had more walks (31) than strikeouts (29). Nava was named the number one independent league prospect by Baseball America in 2007. The Red Sox paid the Outlaws $1 for the rights to Nava, with an agreement that the Outlaws would receive an additional $1,499 if the Red Sox kept Nava after spring training.

In 2008, Nava played for the Class A-Advanced Lancaster JetHawks and hit .341 with 10 home runs and 59 runs batted in (RBIs) in 85 games. His OPS was .948. In 2009, he hit .339 at the Class A-Advanced Salem Red Sox before being called up to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, where he batted .364 with four home runs and a 25-to-12 walk-to-strikeout ratio. His OPS was .991.

In 2010, Nava spent two months in Triple-A with the Pawtucket Red Sox. At that time he was quoted as saying, "I know I have the talent and the ability, and I can keep playing at the next level," he said. "If I didn't think I could, I would have been like, 'You know what? There's no point.' … I definitely thought I could perform and perform well. That's why I kept on going. Quitting's just not much of an option for me." and the first player in Major League Baseball history to achieve a grand slam on his first-ever MLB career at-bat while in interleague play. His second at-bat, an inning later, was also with the bases loaded, but he struck out, losing the opportunity to become the only player to hit a grand slam in his first two at bats. He was the tenth player in Red Sox history to hit a home run in his first plate appearance with the club, the prior being Darnell McDonald on April 20, 2010, against the Texas Rangers. He was recalled to Boston on August 2 to replace Mike Cameron, who was placed on the DL, then optioned two days later to make room for Ellsbury. On August 17, he was again recalled after Ellsbury re-injured his ribs.

2011 Nava was designated for assignment and removed from the Red Sox' 40-man roster on May 20, 2011. He passed through waivers unclaimed and was outrighted back to the Pawtucket Red Sox.

2012

Nava was not invited to major league training camp in 2012, but was recalled to the major league in May of that year, due to the absences of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford. In 88 games played in 2012, Nava batted .243 with 6 home runs and 33 RBI. He was also the recipient of the Red Sox' Lou Gorman Award.

2013 Nava hit a three-run home run which proved to be the winning margin on April 20, the first Red Sox home game after the Boston Marathon bombing earlier that week. On July 29, 2013, Nava fell victim to a controversial call at home plate in which he was ruled out by umpire Jerry Meals, who later admitted that the call was incorrect.

Nava platooned with Jonny Gomes in left field throughout the Red Sox' championship season of 2013, posting career highs in games played and all offensive categories. He placed eighth in the American League in batting average (.303) and fifth (.385) in on-base percentage. The Red Sox finished atop the American League East division with a 97-65 record and went on to win the 2013 World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals.

2014 Nava batted only .136 with two home runs and three RBIs in the first 17 games in 2014. He was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on April 23, 2014. He was recalled on May 27, 2014, after Shane Victorino went on the disabled list. Nava still failed to improve and was again demoted to Triple-A on June 1, 2014. He was again recalled on June 2, 2014. On September 14, 2014, Nava hit his second career grand slam off of Kansas City Royals pitcher Aaron Crow.

2015 On July 30, 2015, Nava was designated for assignment after struggling throughout the season with injuries and inconsistency at the plate.

Tampa Bay Rays Nava was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays on August 5. He made his debut with the Rays two days later, facing the New York Mets and starting in right field. Batting 7th, he went 0 for 2, before being lifted for a pinch hitter. After the season, he was designated for assignment.

Los Angeles Angels

Nava signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on December 16, 2015. After spring training ended, Nava ended up on the 15-day DL. He was activated towards the end of May and, after struggling offensively and in a platoon role, the Angels designated him for assignment in July. He finished his tenure with the Angels hitting .235 with 1 home run in 45 games.

Kansas City Royals On August 29, 2016, the Angels traded Nava to the Royals for a player to be named later.

Philadelphia Phillies On December 12, 2016, Nava signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He made the Phillies' major league roster, and in his first game with the team on April 6, 2017, he homered in his first two at-bats. He appeared in 80 games total for the 2017 Phillies, batting .301 with four home runs and 21 RBIs.

Pittsburgh Pirates On February 6, 2018, Nava signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. On February 28, it was announced Nava would be sidelined 10 to 12 weeks after back surgery. He was released on March 20, and signed a new minor league contract with Pittsburgh on March 23. Nava did not play professionally in 2018,

Kansas City T-Bones On June 2, 2019, Nava signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association. During the 2019 season, he appeared in 71 games for the T-Bones, batting .288 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs. Nava was released by the T-Bones on March 5, 2020.

During the 2019–20 winter baseball season, Nava played briefly for Algodoneros de Guasave of the Mexican Pacific League, appearing in seven games while batting .148 (4-for-27) with one RBI. In February 2023, Nava was named manager of the Dodgers' High-A affiliate, the Great Lakes Loons. The Loons posted the second-best record of the 2023 Midwest League season, and reached the league's championship game.

Awards 2007 Independent Leagues Top Prospect (Baseball America)

Personal life Nava's father, Don, is a fitness instructor and a coach. Nava was married in the early offseason of 2012; he and his wife, Rachel, have one daughter.

From 2008 to 2010, Nava left a ticket at every minor league home game for ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews.