NEW YORK — George Lombard Jr. grew up in a big league clubhouse. He shadowed his father, George Lombard Sr., a six-year MLB veteran who has spent the past 11 years on a Major League coaching staff, including his current role as the Tigers’ bench coach.
That familiarity will help Lombard, who ranks as the Yankees’ top prospect, per MLB Pipeline. But it does not get in the way of the “pinch-me” sensation that accompanies a big league call-up.
Less than 24 hours after being promoted to the Major Leagues, Lombard sat in front of a backdrop of Yankees logos with a freshly-minted cap. With a smile, he tried to explain what felt surreal about this day.
“All of it,” the 21-year-old shortstop said. “I don’t think it will really settle in for a couple days. Being around it gives you that level of comfort, like, OK, you know what some stuff will be like. But being in it and actually doing it is different. It becomes real for the first time.”
Things will quickly become real on Tuesday night in the Bronx. Lombard is set to bat eighth and play shortstop for the Yankees against the Cardinals in his MLB debut. At 21 years and 63 days old, he is the youngest player to start at shortstop for the Yankees since Derek Jeter on June 11, 1995.
Already, that is the sort of lofty company Lombard finds himself in.
The Yankees were asked repeatedly about Lombard ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, swatting away each request. They had no appetite to trade Lombard, their first-round pick (No. 26 overall) in the 2023 Draft.
The Yankees view Lombard as a foundational piece to their future. Perhaps sooner than some may have expected, he is a key part to their new-look present, too.
“He checked a lot of boxes,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s put together an outstanding year. He’s continued to get better, and started to get really hot, as well. … We felt like it was the time.”
Lombard was slashing .268/.405/.440 in 56 games at Triple-A this season with 16 doubles, six home runs, 21 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
He was swinging the bat especially well after being activated from the injured list in mid-July, batting .377 (20-for-53) with a 1.081 OPS in 14 games.
Along with Lombard’s exceptional defense, the Yankees gush about his maturity.
“We certainly feel like he has the makeup to handle that transition,” Boone said.
The pressure that accompanies Lombard’s job – the starting shortstop for the Yankees – does not bother him. Neither does being called up in the thick of a pennant race and inserted into a lineup in dire need of a spark.
The Yankees don’t want Lombard thinking about any of that. Boone reiterated his message to his new shortstop: “Go be you.” It will be taken in stride.
“It’s a hard game,” Lombard said. “You’re going to struggle. There will be ups and downs. Who knows what the future’s going to look like. That’s unpredictable. The biggest thing is taking everything day by day, being the same person. Being the same teammate. Play the same way. Play to win. Play hard every single day. Play with my hair on fire.”
COMPLETE YANKEES PROSPECT COVERAGE
That would sure be a breath of fresh air for the Yankees.
Lombard will wear No. 96, which he has worn throughout the Minors and in Spring Training. Several friends and family will be in attendance for his debut, including his parents.
Tuesday is an extra special day for the Lombard family, too. George’s brother, Jacob, is making his professional debut for Single-A Jupiter, less than a month after being drafted No. 14 overall by the Marlins. Their parents had flights booked to Florida. Jacob told them to change their plans. George’s debut was more important.
Volpe, Domínguez optioned
To create a runway for Lombard and outfielder Heliot Ramos, the Yankees optioned shortstop Anthony Volpe and outfielder Jasson Domínguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday night.
It’s another chapter in Volpe’s turbulent career. The Yankees’ first-round pick in the 2019 Draft has been impacted by injury and underperformance. Most recently, he had been splitting duties at shortstop with José Caballero.
Volpe will play both shortstop and second base in the Minors.
“Tough conversations, obviously,” Boone said. “Two people that we love and think highly of, and think still have very bright big league careers ahead of them. … Those can be humbling and challenging times, but they can also be part of helping you become a more refined and better player. In both cases, I expect them to have really strong, long careers, and this will be part of their story.”