Latest news with #GeorgeLombardJr.
New York Post
13-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Yankees' George Lombard Jr.'s future bright due to bevy of intangibles
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free ATLANTA — George Lombard Jr. camped under a pop-up and glanced at the hitter, who was not running hard out of the box to an occupied first base. With one out in the inning during the Double-A Somerset game, the shortstop thought quickly and allowed the ball to hit the grass. He scooped it up, fired to first base for one out and then watched his first baseman throw to second for an unorthodox but heady double play. 'That's one of the plays that you rehearse over and over in your head, hoping that you get the chance to do it eventually,' Lombard said Saturday of a play he pulled off in late May. 'When I'm out there I'm always thinking, trying to anticipate, trying to see what possibly can happen on this play just to be ahead of it.' There are plenty of tangible reasons for the Yankees to like Lombard, though the IQ of a son of a coach is what they hope makes him the complete package. All of Lombard's tools added up to an impressive appearance in the Futures Game at Truist Park, where he made himself known — drawing a walk, stealing a base and manufacturing a run in his first plate appearance, ripping a double in his second and later getting robbed of a single by diving center fielder Slade Caldwell. He was the lone Yankees representative but not alone. Before the 4-2 National League win, he watched his brother, Jacob, compete in the All-Star High School Home Run Derby. Their father, George, is a former major leaguer and the current Tigers bench coach. There is a lot of baseball knowledge that gets tossed around at family dinners. Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. fields a ground during warmups before the MLB Futures Game, won 4-2 by the National League. Getty Images Lombard Jr. might drop a pop-up on occasion when he can see a double play can be pulled off. Last week, his dash home from third base on a ground ball to third gained some online attention: Lombard swung over to the field of play, sprinting home while on the grass several feet from the baseline, which likely played a role in the opposing third baseman throwing to the outside of the catcher — who then was too late for a tag, Lombard sliding in safely. 'That's a play that my dad is talking about all the time,' said the 20-year-old, who answers questions professionally and with a smile. 'I learned it from him. … It was fun to finally be able to pull one of those off in a game.' It is not difficult to envision Lombard — a natural shortstop who also has played second and third this year, with versatility and athleticism (25 steals in 81 games this season) obvious assets — to find a home somewhere in the Yankees infield over the next few years. There is no doubting the intangibles, and Lombard is working to improve the tangibles. The 2023 first-round pick sailed through High-A Hudson Valley (a .983 OPS in 24 games) before starting slowly at Somerset, with whom he entered this break hitting .203 with a .633 OPS. Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. hits during the third inning of the MLB Futures Game. Getty Images He said he has made some adjustments at the plate and has begun feeling comfortable against the higher-up pitchers. '[Double-A is] definitely a difference,' said Lombard, who has had 354 plate appearances against pitchers older than him this season and two against a younger pitcher. 'Guys are a little older, guys are a little more mature, know what they're doing. … But overall, it's still baseball, it's still a game.' Lombard is the top-ranked Yankees prospect, leapfrogging Spencer Jones in a system that could look much different in a few weeks. A player with his makeup, ability and reputation, all before he can legally drink alcohol, likely would be the best trade chip GM Brian Cashman could cash in at the trade deadline. A coach's son understands as much — but also understands not to obsess about the future. 'I try to stay away from getting too caught up online and reading rumors and all that,' Lombard said. 'Control what I can control for the most part. … I stay present and be a good teammate. And I just worry about my business every single day. Whatever happens is going to happen.'
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees Urged To Cut Ties With Generational Top Prospect In Trade
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees are expected to be one of the more active teams in baseball ahead of the trade deadline. New York specifically needs to add a third baseman and a starting pitcher or two this year. There are some affordable trade candidates on the market right now, but the Yankees could chase a superstar if the right opportunity presents itself. FanSided's Zachary Rotman recently suggested the Yankees could cut ties with top infield prospect George Lombard Jr. if they can land an "awesome return" ahead of the trade deadline. TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Aaron Judge #99 and George Lombard Jr. of the New York Yankees smile during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26,... TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Aaron Judge #99 and George Lombard Jr. of the New York Yankees smile during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. More New"This is the one Yankees fans will hate. George Lombard Jr. is the team's highest-ranked prospect by virtually any outlet you can look at, and he had a strong showing in spring training," Rotman wrote. "There's a legitimate chance that if he remains in the organization past the deadline, he'll be their Opening Day third baseman next season. "While the Yankees would obviously love to keep him, it would be foolish to keep him off the block completely. First of all, while Lombard excelled in High-A to start the year, he has a .644 OPS in 55 games at the Double-A level since his early-May promotion. Who knows whether he can hit at that level, let alone the MLB level? Second, as is the case with Jones and Schlittler, what if he can net the Yankees an awesome return?" There aren't many prospects in baseball who are truly untouchable. Out of all New York's prospects, Lombard is the closest thing to untouchable that the Yankees have. The future of New York's infield is pretty questionable at the moment. Lombard looks to be a potential star shortstop moving forward, as long as everything goes right. It would be foolish for the Yankees to trade Lombard this season. The future is bright for the young shortstop, and the Yankees don't have much depth in the farm system behind him. More MLB: Yankees Urged To Trade For $66 Million Slugger To Fill Huge Void
New York Post
11-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
What George Lombard Jr. might find at the MLB Futures Game — according to the Yankees who've been there
Despite fans' cries for his arrival in The Bronx this year, George Lombard Jr. will almost certainly spend the full season in the minor leagues. But the 20-year-old will get a taste of the big leagues this weekend, one that seven current Yankees got when they were in his shoes, by playing in the Futures Game on Saturday night at Truist Park in Atlanta. 'When you get selected to the Futures Game, I think it's a step closer, because you realize how it is,' said Jasson Domínguez, who played in the 2021 and 2022 games before making his big league debut in 2023. 'It was a great experience. You get to meet a lot of people, a lot of guys. You see how they go about things and how different everybody does [their] thing.' Domínguez started the 2022 Futures Game in center field at Dodger Stadium and homered off of current Red Sox Triple-A lefty Kyle Harrison (the key piece of the Rafael Devers trade). He was joined by current teammate Anthony Volpe and then-Yankees prospect Ken Waldichuk, who picked up the save and then was traded two weeks later to the Athletics for Frankie Montas.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Breakout minor league season puts Yankees prospect in national spotlight
Breakout minor league season puts Yankees prospect in national spotlight originally appeared on Athlon Sports. George Lombard Jr. will make his debut on the national stage next month. The Yankees' former first-round draft pick has been named to the 2025 MLB Futures Game roster. Advertisement Lombard, the Yankees' first-round pick in 2023 (26th overall), joins a star-studded American League squad that features 11 other former first-round selections. He's one of nine players chosen from the top 22 overall prospects in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and his inclusion signals how quickly his stock has climbed since being drafted just over a year ago. New York Yankees infield prospect George Lombard, Nelson-Imagn Images Lombard Jr. didn't need long to make his mark in High-A. In just 24 games with Hudson Valley, the 20-year-old shortstop slashed .329/.495/.488, showing off the kind of advanced plate discipline that rarely sticks around that level. He walked 23 times and struck out just 22. Add in 11 stolen bases and it was pretty clear he was ready for the next step. The Yankees bumped Lombard up to Double-A Somerset on May 6, and while the power hasn't quite come with him yet, the bat has still played. Through his first 48 games in the Eastern League, he's hitting .279 with a .340 OBP and two home runs. He's swiped 14 more bags and continues to flash smooth defense at short—earning a nod to the 2025 Futures Game roster in the process. Advertisement His most recent highlight? A homer on June 20 and a game-saving throw from the hole on June 27 that helped Somerset lock up a win. He's still growing into his game, but the tools are loud, the instincts are sharp, and he's doing everything you'd want from a 20-year -old shortstop on the fast track. This marks Lombard's second major showcase appearance of the year, following his participation in MLB's Spring Breakout event Related: Could These Pitching Prospects Be the Key to Deadline Deals? Related: Yankees Fans Love This Prospect as Rival Teams Eye Him in a Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
21-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Uncomfortable questions arise as Anthony Volpe, Francisco Alvarez fall short of expectations
The push will be coming soon, if there isn't the beginning of a groundswell already. Why aren't George Lombard Jr. and Cam Schlitter being fast-tracked to the Yankees? Ditto for Jett Williams and Jonah Tong to the Mets? Access the Yankees beat like never before Don't miss Greg Joyce's text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he's giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees. Sign Up Now This is how it works in sports. The guy who isn't playing — who we are not seeing fully exposed at the highest level — is always the best answer. It is Backup Quarterback Syndrome. Advertisement The guy offscreen just has to be better. 'Next' is always the best answer. It feels like just yesterday — spring training of 2023 actually — when fans and media were in full chortle that if the respective New York teams did not begin the season with Francisco Alvarez and Anthony Volpe, then they weren't trying or were artificially suppressing service time or fill in some other nefarious plot hatched by devious front office folks.
