It's difficult to think of a better story than Daniel Nava.
A season after he made his major league debut -- and famously, hit a grand slam on the first pitch thrown to him -- Nava was off the Red Sox radar in Pawtucket, relegated to non-prospect status.
Earlier this year, when the Red Sox needed a roster spot, Nava found himself designated for assignment -- and unclaimed by the other 29 teams.
But the epidemic of injuries to the organization's outfielders has created an opportunity for Nava, and he's seized it in a big way, becoming the Red Sox' de facto starting left fielder.
In 14 games since being promoted from Pawtucket, Nava is hitting .350.491600 with two homers and 11 RBI.
Nava's done everything the Red Sox could have asked. He's getting on base regularly, driving the ball -- six of his 14 hits have been for extra bases -- and showing improvement in the outfield.
In the last few weeks, he's gone from forgotten journeyman minor leaguer to valuable role player.
Boston Red Sox
The eventual return of Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury may force Nava back to the minors, but that's at least a month away. In the meantime, Nava is showcasing his skills to other teams, and not incidentally, proving invaluable for a team desperately in need of reinforcements.