While a deserving honor for the rising star, Lile faces an uphill battle to win the annual award with both Happ and Chourio offering better metrics in defensive runs saved, outs above average and fielding run value during the 2026 regular season. Yet for a young piece who made improving defensively a focus in 2026, Lile cashed in on that goal to ascend into part of the Nationals’ foundation alongside CJ Abrams, James Wood and Cade Cavalli.
