WASHINGTON D.C. - Washington Nationals rookie outfielder Daylen Lile capped off his sensational first season in the majors with a month to remember. After dominating at the plate throughout September, the 22-year-old was officially named the National League Player of the Month and NL Rookie of the Month, MLB announced Tuesday on MLB Network.
Lile’s Red-Hot September Stretch
In 25 games during September, Lile put up eye-popping numbers that placed him among the league’s elite:
Batting average: .391
On-base percentage: .440
Slugging percentage: .772
Extra-base hits: 3 doubles, 7 triples, 6 home runs
Production: 19 RBI, 20 runs scored, 8 walks, 1 stolen base
Lile hit safely in 21 of those games and reached base in 16 straight contests from August 31 through September 16, showcasing consistency beyond his years.
Signature Moments of the Month
The rookie wasn’t just producing in bunches—he provided highlight-reel moments Nationals fans won’t soon forget:
Sept. 6 vs. Cubs: Go-ahead home run that delivered a victory at Wrigley Field.
Sept. 19 vs. Mets: Tripled for the 11th time this season, tying Denard Span’s 2013 mark for most in a season by a Nationals player.
Sept. 20 vs. Mets: Drilled an 11th-inning inside-the-park homer to secure a 5–3 Nationals win at Citi Field.
These moments punctuated a month where Lile became the offensive engine of the Nationals lineup.
Rookie Season Breakdown
Across his rookie campaign, Lile quickly emerged as one of the top young hitters in the National League:
Batting average: .299 (led all NL rookies)
Slugging percentage: .498 (led all NL rookies)
OPS: .845 (led all NL rookies)
On-base percentage: .347 (4th among rookies)
Hits: 96 (6th)
Runs scored: 51 (7th)
Extra-base hits: 35 (6th)
Totals: 15 doubles, 11 triples, 9 home runs, 41 RBI in 91 games
Lile’s 11 triples set a new Nationals rookie record (since the franchise moved to D.C. in 2005) and tied him for the most in a single season in team history.
Historic Recognition
By winning both Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month honors in the same month, Lile joins an exclusive list of MLB stars such as Aaron Judge, José Abreu, Yasiel Puig, Mike Trout, Buster Posey, and Ryan Braun. He’s only the 11th player ever to earn the dual distinction.
What’s Next?
As the Nationals shift their focus toward 2026, Lile’s breakout campaign provides optimism for the team’s rebuild. With Rookie of the Year chatter already circling, his performance places him firmly at the center of Washington’s long-term plans.