This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
NEW YORK -- It was still late February when George Lombard Jr. stood against a cinder block wall near the back of a Minor League clubhouse in Dunedin, Fla., the final outs of a forgettable exhibition game unfolding behind him.
These were the long days reserved for reps, the kind that could pay off months down the road. Even then, Lombard knew there were eyes on him. Celebrated as the Yankees’ top prospect, attention came with his status, though Lombard said he didn’t necessarily feel pressure.
“I feel like I’m blessed to be in that situation, where I have those expectations and have goals to meet,” Lombard said then. “I really just try to block that out, acknowledge the situation that I’m in, and then just focus on my work. I do my work and kind of let those things figure themselves out.”
It’s a mature mindset, especially for a player who turned 21 only two months ago, one that likely stems from growing up around the game. That maturity helps explain why the Yankees didn’t seem surprised by Lombard’s memorable debut this week, including a home run in his second plate appearance.
“It was incredible,” said captain Aaron Judge. “Seeing him in Spring Training, you see the tools, you see how he carries himself and the personality. He’s got it all. So for him to go out there and get a chance to finally live out his dream, it’s pretty impressive. I’m glad he’s up here doing his thing.”
Added outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger: “He’s just a special kid, a great kid. A baseball player. It’s in his blood.”
The son of former Major League outfielder and current Tigers bench coach George Lombard, the younger Lombard became the 14th player in franchise history to homer in his Major League debut, and the first since Jasson Domínguez on Sept. 1, 2023.
“It was a moment, a swing, a day I won’t forget -- forever,” Lombard said.
Having packed on muscle to fill out a frame that had room to grow, Lombard’s hitting has made significant strides this year.
At the time of his promotion, Lombard was leading all qualified Yankees Minor Leaguers in on-base percentage (.411) and doubles (24), while tied for third in OPS (.909) and fourth in walks (60).
That output prompted the Yankees’ decision to bring up Lombard and option Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, general manager Brian Cashman said.
“We have to make those calculated decisions about measuring that versus this, and this is what we currently had versus what we think he could provide,” Cashman told the YES Network. “The scales recently have started to tip enough where we think it’s the right move to make and give him an opportunity.”
As for Lombard’s defense, Tuesday’s display was expected. Lombard’s glovework has been considered “plug and play” for quite some time, as Cashman called it.
“The ease with which he makes throws, it doesn’t feel like he’s ever having to reach for it, yet there’s plenty of life on it,” manager Aaron Boone said. “The athleticism [and] the physicality that he can play it with is what really stands out -- like a puma.”
Lombard -- who traces his agility, at least in part, to his experience as a standout high school soccer player -- says run prevention is a part of the game he takes pride in.
“Since I can remember, it’s something I always had a love for, a passion for,” Lombard said. “I try to go out there and get a little work in every day, get a little better and help out the pitchers with whatever I can make.”
Numerous teams pinged the Yankees about Lombard ahead of the Trade Deadline. The Tigers, for example, insisted upon receiving him in any deal for ace Tarik Skubal, a price the Yanks deemed too steep for a rental.
They intend to see where Lombard’s path leads in pinstripes, trusting him to play shortstop regularly in the heat of a pennant race.
“I think he’s prepared for all of it,” Cashman said, “and we’re prepared to react to it with him. He’s going to get some runway, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Based upon everything they’ve seen over the last several years, the Yankees believe Lombard is ready for this opportunity.
“Honestly, I felt pretty relaxed,” Lombard said. “I think everybody around me, everybody here, just helped me feel comfortable from when I got here and welcomed me. They made it try to feel just as much like another baseball game.”