Mental strength the next step in No. 12 prospect Lile's ascent

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

WASHINGTON -- In the three years since he was drafted, Daylen Lile’s pro career has seen significant injuries and determined recoveries. From undergoing Tommy John surgery to being carted off the field on a stretcher after a scary tumble over the outfield wall, the 21-year-old Lile has overcome hurdles while continuing to develop his baseball skills.

Lile, ranked as the Nationals’ No. 12 prospect by MLB Pipeline, thrived this season as he focused on a different aspect of the game.

“Nothing mechanical, just the mental side of it, the approach side, just watching more film and studying the pitchers more,” Lile said last month.

Lile reached Double-A Harrisburg in 2024 and was named a co-recipient of the Nationals Way Award, which represents professionalism, leadership, loyalty, passion, selflessness, durability, determination and work ethic.

“You don’t touch Daylen Lile,” said Nationals vice president and assistant general manager, player development and administration Eddie Longosz. “He has all the tools, he has a gift that a lot of people don’t have. It’s like he said, it’s working on the mental component. It’s not flipping over fences, because he did that again when I was in Harrisburg at one point [laughs]. … But it’s building that confidence, studying pitchers. I think that’s going to be his next big thing making that jump.”

Lile’s season began with a fall over the right-field wall and into the bullpen during a Spring Training game in early March. He was taken to a hospital, and he was diagnosed with a lower back contusion. Manager Dave Martinez noted at the time, “It could have been a lot worse, so we’re grateful.”

The injury occurred after Lile missed the 2022 season because of Tommy John surgery.

“The injuries come with the game,” Lile said. “I know that I play hard each and every day. I know with the injuries, it just makes me the player that I am. So it just drives me and pushes me to be better each and every day.”

Once recovered, the lefty-hitting Lile stood out with High-A Wilmington. He recorded a career-best 15-game on-base streak from April 12 through May 2, and he was promoted to Double-A on June 18.

In 130 games this season, Lile batted .262, led all Nationals Minor Leaguers in triples (10) and tied for most doubles (23). Lile also ranked second in the Nats' farm system in hits (127), third in total bases (188), tied for third in walks (54), fourth in on-base percentage (.347), OPS (.735) and runs scored (69), fifth in batting average (.262) and tied for sixth in stolen bases (25).

“It’s a gift where some things you can’t teach,” said Longosz. “With his hitting ability and what he was taught or taught himself, it’s hard to describe, it’s hard to have another person replicate, but he’s able to do it.”

Lile, a 2021 second-round pick out of Trinity High School in Louisville, is a key member of the Nationals’ emerging outfield depth. His next step will be preparing to face Triple-A competition.

“Being a lot stronger mentally,” Lile said of his offseason goals. “Knowing that we play baseball every day, it's going to get tough. But as long as you stay even keeled, then it's going to be good.”