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Daniel Nava has taken the long road to the Eastern League, but he’s arrived chiefly on the strength of his swing. After batting .339 in Class A, he has gone 4 for 10 in four games with Portland.

TODAY'S GAME

WHO: Sea Dogs (Ryne Lawson (3-9) at Altoona Curve (Mike Crotta (5-6)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

PORTLAND — Six years ago, Daniel Nava would be up at 4 a.m., washing other baseball players' uniforms.

Cut from his college baseball team, Nava became the team manager so he could stay close to the sport.

"I thought I was done playing ball," he said.

Now he is the Portland Sea Dogs newest outfielder, two steps from the major leagues.

"I'm grateful," he said.

Nava, 26, is a long shot to ever play at Fenway Park. But he is used to the underdog role.

"It's something I've dealt with for a while," Nava said.

There is something else Nava has done for a while: hit.

Before he was called up to Portland Aug. 5, Nava played 29 games at advanced Class A Salem. He batted .339.

That was his lowest batting average, ever, in college or pros.

Oh yes, Nava did eventually play college ball.

Nava's underdog days began at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif. He was a good player – honorable mention pick on the All-Conference team – but nothing to make the scouts take a second look.

A switch-hitter, Nava tried out for the Santa Clara University team in 2002 and was cut.

After two years as a student and team manager, Nava withdrew because he could no longer afford the tuition.

A Little League buddy suggested Nava play junior college baseball at the College of San Mateo. Why not, he figured.

Nava batted .430 his freshman year and was named an All-American. He batted .384 the next season and Santa Clara approached him with a scholarship offer.

Nava made the most of his one year of eligibility at Santa Clara in 2006, batting .395 with a .494 on-base percentage.

But Nava was not drafted, nor signed by any team. He was a 5-foot-10 corner outfielder with little power and reportedly a weak arm.

By the spring of 2007, his career looked stalled again. Then the phone call came from a team in the independent Golden Baseball League, Chico (Calif.).

"It was the day before spring training," Nava said. "One of their guys didn't show up and they wanted to know if I wanted to try out. I packed my stuff and drove out the next day."

Nava made the team, batted .371 with a .475 on-base percentage, and was named the league's MVP.

Despite the numbers, only two major league organizations looked at Nava, and only one offered a contract – the Boston Red Sox.

"I was jumping around the house," Nava said. "I'm grateful I have a shot, and I'm grateful that I'm in an organization."

Assigned to the advanced Class A team, then in windy Lancaster, Calif., Nava won the California League batting title last year with a .341 clip.

He was supposed to begin this season in Portland but oblique and abdominal injuries kept him on the disabled list.

He arrived last week. In four games, Nava has kept swinging. He's batting .400 (4 for 10) with four walks and one hit-by-pitch (.600 on-base percentage), along with a double, triple and three RBI.

"All the guy does is hit," Portland Manager Arnie Beyler said. "He's hit everywhere he's been. He's a good outfielder. I've seen him make several nice catches in spring training. Solid player.

"He earned his way up here. He's going to get an opportunity to play and hopefully continue what he's been doing."

Nava's arm strength has not come into question. The Sea Dogs have him playing right field. But it's in the box where he will catch your attention.

"He's got an advanced approach at the plate," said hitting coach Dave Joppie. "With his swing, his barrel stays in the zone for a long time. Very rarely will you see him get fooled. He has the knack for finding the ball with the barrel.

"He's calm; not a guy who gets jumpy. It allows him to see the ball longer."

How long will Nava get to prove himself? Nava doesn't know. He's used to proving he can play.

"I'm not just content with just coming here and playing," Nava said. "I want to play well."

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com