CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ask anyone in the Yankees organization about nearly any promising young prospect and inevitably, they steer the conversation toward George Lombard Jr.
The 19-year-old has stood out throughout the spring and he got another opportunity on Tuesday, this time against the Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler.
Lombard answered with a 106 mph single, all while starting again at shortstop.
And it’s not just scouts and executives who have taken notice of the 2023 first-round pick (26th overall) — it’s also potential future teammates.
That includes Aaron Judge, who has watched him not only in Grapefruit League games, but also on the back fields in Tampa.
“The tools are all there,” Judge said at Steinbrenner Field Tuesday. “I saw him take ground balls on Field 2 and he had an infield of Jazz [Chisholm Jr.], [Anthony] Volpe and Ben Rice. [Lombard] was smooth and athletic at third base. I know he’s a shortstop, but watching him at different spots, I’m excited for the future.”
And like everyone else who’s come across Lombard — whose father, George, played parts of six seasons in the majors — Judge has come away impressed by the son’s presence.
“He’s a great kid,” Judge said. “He’s a hard worker who goes and does his thing. He doesn’t say much. He shows up and does what he needs to do. And the power he’s already showing, he’s gonna be something special.”
Lombard isn’t expected to hit the majors until 2027, but he’s already ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the organization by MLB Pipeline, behind only Jasson Domínguez — who is projected to be the Opening Day left fielder this season.
Asked about the stir he’d caused among fans — and within the organization — Lombard said, “I’ve heard a little, but I’m not focused on that right now since it’s early in spring. There’s a lot of time left. My goal is to stay focused on my work and try to learn something new every single day.”
He’s now 5-for-15 with a pair of homers in eight games this spring after splitting last season between Single-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley, where he played second base, third and short.
Aaron Boone called Lombard’s experience in camp “really valuable.”
“He earned those extra reps and I’m glad he’s got that opportunity right now to play in situations like that,” the manager said. “He really likes the game and he has that competitive focus. You watch him in the box lock in. The makeup is real. He has a special energy about him, a quiet intensity that’s present every day.”
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
As the youngest player remaining in major league camp — and in most of the games he’s playing in now — Lombard was asked if he’s been overwhelmed at all.
“Just normal nerves sometimes just like everybody feels on a baseball field,” Lombard said. “You go out there and play baseball, what I’ve done my whole life, be a baseball player. Enjoy the moment, take it all in and then lock in, play baseball and win a game.”
