Per reports out of New York (h/t YES Network, MLB.com), the Yankees are expected to promote shortstop George Lombard Jr. to The Bronx. Arguably the top prospect in the system, Lombard Jr. has shown himself to be a polished hitter, and one who could be a special shortstop if all goes right.
A Look at Lombard Jr.
George Lombard Jr.‘s name has been at or near the top of the Yankees’ farm system since 2023, when the club made him a first-round pick out of high school in Florida. Lombard Jr. comes from a baseball family, as his father, George Lombard, played in the Majors. And his brother, Jacob, was just drafted by Miami in the first round this year.
After he hit .311 in rookie ball in 2023, Lombard Jr. moved to full-season ball in 2024. However, things weren’t easy for the youngster, now 21 years of age. Yes, there were many positives, including 61 walks over 110 cumulative games and 39 stolen bases. However, a lot of topped-off contact that suppressed the power — he hit five home runs that year — and it was something still seen in his game during the early parts of 2025.
But in 2026, Lombard Jr. has looked like a complete player. He returned to Double-A Somerset, where he spent most of 2025, to start 2026 and proceeded to slash .312/.400/.571 with four home runs and 12 extra-base hits in 20 games before he earned a promotion to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. And over 56 games, he slashed .268/.405/.440 with six home runs and 23 extra-base hits for the RailRiders.
Standing at 6’2” and 190 pounds, Lombard Jr. has that raw strength that one would like to see out of a potential everyday shortstop with above-average pop. And while it took some time for that to show up in-game, it did in 2025 & 2026. His 12 home runs this season between Somerset & Scranton are already a career-most. Plus, a 9% Barrel over the last two months.
Lombard Jr. was a very disciplined hitter down in the Minors, too. Overall, he walked 60 times in 78 contests, 45 of those coming in Triple-A. Since June 1, Lombard Jr. posted a Chase% of 21.7%, good for 46th among the 362 Triple-A players who saw at least 150 pitches outside of the zone.
Very patient hitter, as he took over 60% of the time with Scranton, one of the highest rates down at that level.
Now, as far as the contact tool is concerned, there was some obvious swing-and-miss outside of the zone. And his Whiff% (31%) since the start of June in Triple-A was a tick lower than the league median. He was often beat by breaking balls & offspeed (44% Whiff on changeups, 46% on splitters) stuff.
But as seen below, Lombard Jr. made very consistent contact on pitches inside the strike zone, a significant plus. The only real weakness was up in the zone.
Defensively, Lombard Jr. has played most of his professional career at shortstop. It’s his natural position, and one where he uses his speed & range well. However, the Yankees did give him some work at third over the years, including in 2026. The 21-year-old started 11 games at third between Double-A and Triple-A.
Analysis
Three years ago, Anthony Volpe was expected to be the long-term shortstop for the Yankees. But after two down seasons, Volpe’s Yankees career is on ice. He was optioned to Triple-A again on August 4, paving the way for Lombard Jr. to make the big-league roster.
For Lombard Jr., the expectations are obviously high. Aside from the fact that he is the top prospect for the Yankees, he has legitimate 20-20 potential, thanks to his skillset. And, given how the Yankees could use a punch right now given the injuries to Cody Bellinger & Aaron Judge, Lombard Jr.’s first task as a Major Leaguer will be to simply keep the line moving.
Good eye at the plate, and someone who can make a difference with his bat. And in the long term, given all of the players (Jose Caballero, Ryan McMahon, Volpe) who’ve been used to fill out the left side of that infield in recent months & years, Lombard Jr. offers the club an opportunity at stabilization.
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