Chico Outlaw's Daniel Nava to Make Big League Debut with the Boston
June 12, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(San Ramon, CA. June 12, 2010) The Golden Baseball League, the premiere independent professional minor league in western North America, is pleased to announce that the 2007 GBL Most Valuable Player, Daniel Nava, has just been promoted from AAA to the major leagues by the Boston Red Sox. The switch-hitting outfielder, leading the Pawtucket Sox in batting average, home runs, and RBIs, will start today in left field for Boston in their game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Nava, 27, began his professional career with the Chico Outlaws in 2007 after a fine senior season in 2006 at Santa Clara University where he won the West Coast Conference batting title with a .395 average but went undrafted. Just missing making Chico's roster as a mid-season addition for the 2006 season, the team contacted him for 2007 as he became part of a magical season for the Outlaws and for himself. Chico won their first GBL Championship that year as Nava became the first rookie in the Golden Baseball League to win the league's Most Valuable Player Award as he led the league in hitting with a .371 average under veteran manager and former MLB catcher Mark Parent. After the season ended the GBL nominated him for the Baseball America All-Indy Team and for their influential Top Ten Indy Prospects List put together by editor J.J. Cooper. When the October issue came out, not only was Nava named a First Team All-Indy Outfielder, but he was the #1 ranked Indy Prospect in the country. Already scouted heavily during the season, major league teams took notice with the Cubs and the Red Sox being the most aggressive in signing the young outfielder.
Boston defeated Chicago in the Nava Sweepstakes and sent him to High-A Lancaster in the California League where he promptly won his third straight batting title as he hit .341 for the JetHawks. Promoted last year to AA, he also spent time in AAA and combined to hit .352. This year he has led the AAA Pawtucket team in virtually all hitting categories.
Nava is the fifth Golden Baseball League player to make it to the major leagues. In the five seasons that the GBL has been in existence, 104 players have had their contracts purchased by major league teams.
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Golden Baseball League Stories from June 12, 2010
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- Caps Winning Streak Ends At Three - Edmonton Capitals
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