New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman may have struck gold once again. While he’s faced criticism over the years, Cashman has built a reputation for spotting top-tier talent in the MLB Draft—think Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe, Clarke Schmidt, and Austin Wells.
A key part of the Yankees’ long-term success under his leadership has been their consistently strong farm system, and now, George Lombard Jr. is emerging as the latest name to watch.
According to an early-season prospect update from MLB Pipeline analysts Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra, and Jonathan Mayo (April 30), the 19-year-old shortstop is currently the “hottest hitter” in the Yankees’ minor league system.
The son of former MLB player and current Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr., Lombard Jr. has been putting up impressive numbers in High-A ball—slashing .309/.500/.456 with 22 walks in 21 games, ranking second in the Florida State League in both walks and on-base percentage.
A 2023 first-round pick (No. 26 overall) out of a Florida high school, Lombard is also showcasing speed on the bases (11 steals) and solid defense. Despite a somewhat underwhelming 2024 season where he hit just .231 with a .672 OPS, Lombard’s turnaround has caught the attention of scouts and analysts alike.
He’s now the Yankees’ No. 1 overall prospect on MLB.com and has cracked the MLB Top 100 list, coming in at No. 98. As he approaches his 20th birthday next month, Lombard’s breakout performance could signal the start of a rapid rise through the Yankees’ system—and possibly toward the Bronx.
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