"Expanded: Daylen Lile While not necessarily a "sleeper" prospect, Daylen Lile flew under the radar in the Nationals' minor league system due to the pedigree of James Wood and Dylan Crews. Selected in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Lile missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery. He returned to action in 2023 and produced an .807 OPS in 106 games at the A/A+ level."
"Lile's numbers took a dip in 2024 as he advanced through the ranks of the minor leagues, posting just a .735 OPS. His development hit the next level in 2025, earning him a promotion to the Major Leagues. Lile's first two months in the Majors were average at best. In May, he had a slashline of .208/.286/.661 followed by a similar line in June."
"In July, things started to pick up for the rookie, producing a .711 OPS in 73 at-bats. He finished the season as one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball during September. Lile hit .391 with six home runs, seven triples, and 19 RBI. The 22-year-old finished with an astounding 11 triples. You read that correctly: Daylen Lile hit 11 triples in only 91 games."
The Nationals hired Paul Taboni as Head of Baseball Operations and shifted organizational focus to 2026. A complete 25-man roster overhaul by 2026 is unlikely, but significant playing-time decisions remain. Daylen Lile missed 2022 after Tommy John surgery, returned in 2023 with an .807 OPS, dipped to .735 in 2024, and earned a 2025 promotion. Lile struggled early in the majors but improved in July and exploded in September, hitting .391 with six home runs, seven triples, 19 RBI and finishing with 11 triples in 91 games. Offensive production points toward a starting outfield role in 2026 despite poor defensive metrics.
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