Daylen Lile, big leaguer.
That’s yet another one who’s come through the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series to reach the game’s highest level, and the 22-year-old outfielder doesn’t look like he’ll be going back to the minors anytime soon.
We saw him at our 2020 Louisville Super Regional, where there wasn’t a future grade below 50 dropped on him besides a 45 for throwing. Overall, the scouting report was a glowing one, which read in part: “Definitely one of the better hitters I’ve seen in a couple years. Reminds of Trent Grisham with more power and speed. Much more ahead for this young hitter.”
So far, it’s been spot on for Lile, who recorded a hit in each of his first two big league games following a late May callup from Triple-A Rochester after he could no longer be denied; the 2021 second-round pick was slashing .319/.340/.505 in his first 21 games.
Meanwhile, Jonathon Long is knocking on the door of the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs organization, just a few years after playing for Trombly Baseball at our 2019 National Tournaments. A two-way player at the time, our scouts liked the now-23-year-old better as a hitter, and that’s a prophecy that’s also paid off; Long was described at the time as having a “solid hitting foundation with sound fundamentals and rhythm to swing…strength to swing with gap ability and power potential to the pull side. Fair actions defensively with solid range and first-step quickness.”
A ninth-rounder after a standout college run at Long Beach State, Long has looked like an absolute steal for the Cubs, and is hitting .355 with six homers and 37 RBI at Triple-A Iowa this year, having reached that level in just his second full professional season.
NOTES: Braden Montgomery, who last started at the 2020 International Week event, hit a walk-off homer for the Winston-Salem Dash on Saturday… Braylon Bishop continues his stunning turnaround in the Pirates system; he delivered a two-run, two-out game-tying hit for Low-A Bradenton… Nolan McLean‘s third start at Triple-A Syracuse was a success, as he delivered six frames of two-hit, two-run ball with six strikeouts.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
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