After making a couple of outsideadditions at the trade deadline, the New York Yankees are now looking internally for what they hope will be another helping (farm) hand in their playoff push.
Infielder George Lombard Jr., the team’s top minor league prospect, is getting the call to the majors for Tuesday night’s home game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Yankees have gotten disappointing results this season from two former top prospects, outfielder Jasson Dominguez and shortstop Anthony Volpe, so much so that both are expected to be sent to the team’s Class Triple-A affiliate in Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pennsylvania) to open up a roster spot for Lombard and trade deadline acquisition Heliot Ramos.
After a 13-7 loss to the Cardinals on Monday, Aug. 3, the Yanks (63-50) sit 3½ games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East division.
Who is George Lombard Jr.?
Lombard, 21, is the son of former major league outfielder George Lombard, who played parts of six major league seasons (1998-2006) with the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals. He now serves as the Tigers’ bench coach.
Unlike his father, Lombard Jr. is an infielder who has played primarily at shortstop in the minors, but who can also play second base or third base.
He was selected by the Yankees in the first round (26th overall) of the 2023 draft out of Gulliver Prep in Miami, and began his pro career later that season with the team’s Rookie League affiliate.
Lombard was promoted to Triple-A earlier this season and has played 56 games at Scranton-Wilkes Barre, hitting .268 with a .405 on-base percentage and .440 slugging percentage. He’s more of a line-drive hitter than a power guy, with six home runs and 10 stolen bases (in 15 attempts) for the RailRiders.
What will George Lombard Jr.’s role be in New York?
According to FanGraphs’ scouting report, Lombard Jr. gets a raw power grade of 50 (on the 20-80 scale), but only 35 in game power. His strengths lie in his speed (55) and fielding (50) grades. A hit tool of 30 suggests he could be a bit overmatched in his first taste of the majors.
A right-handed hitter, Lombard figures to slot in as the starting shortstop for the Yankees (and likely bat ninth) Monday against Cardinals starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins.
His arrival could move Jose Caballero into more of a super-utility role, filling in at shortstop and the outfield.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees set to promote top prospect George Lombard Jr. How will he fit in?
