Boston Red Sox: How Long Can Daniel Nava Keep Incredible Story Alive?

Over the last month or so, the Boston Red Sox have suffered several injuries to their outfielders that has caused a huge lack of depth.

That being said, one of the moves they made was to call up Daniel Nava from Triple-A Pawtucket. Since that day, Nava has played regularly and is really making the most of his opportunity.

For those who don't know the story of Nava, let me fill you in.

According to MLB.com's Ian Browne, after enrolling in the University of Santa Clara, Nava tried to make the baseball team. He was later cut and then decided to become the equipment manager of the team. After his sophomore year, Nava could no longer afford the tuition and left the school. 

He became a star at a local junior college and was then asked to come play for Santa Clara. He was outstanding during his senior year but later went undrafted. 

Hoping to continue his career, he signed with an independent league team and won the MVP in 2007.

After the season, the Boston Red Sox decided they wanted to see what Nava could do and paid the Chico Outlaws $1 for the rights to him (according to WEEI's Alex Speier). That's no typo. They got him for one dollar. 

It was then a long road to the majors for Nava even though he had impressive numbers with each of Boston's minor league affiliates.

On June 12, 2010, Daniel Nava finally got his shot in the major leagues, playing in an interleague game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

In the bottom of the second inning and the bases loaded, Nava got ready for his first major league plate appearance. On the first pitch from Joe Blanton, Nava blasted the ball into the Boston bullpen for a grand slam.

He became the fourth player ever to hit a grand slam in his first at-bat and the only to do so on the first pitch.

He played a total of 60 games in 2010 for Boston, hitting .242/.351/.360 with 23 runs and 26 RBI. Nava spent all of last season in Pawtucket, hoping for another big league shot.

As it played out, Nava was called up on May 10 to try and help the ailing Boston Red Sox. In 14 games for Boston, he's hitting .350/.491/.600 and has hit his first home run since that special day in 2010.

In games that he's played, the Red Sox are 10-4 and has clearly made his impact known.

The question is how long will he be able to stay in the majors?

Eventually the outfielders on the disabled list are going to get healthy, which could mean Nava losing his spot. He's played great but needs to continue his hot hitting in order to prolong his potential departure.

Who knows, maybe the outfield come September includes Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury and Daniel Nava.