NEW YORK – The Yankees believe George Lombard Jr. would shine as a big league defender right now. And as they offer their top prospect more development time at the plate, it’s clear he will continue to be a fast-rising name to watch.
Lombard headlined a group of four Bombers farmhands appearing in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects, as announced on Friday. The 20-year-old Lombard is the No. 32 prospect in baseball, coming off a season in which he excelled for High-A Hudson Valley before leveling off with Double-A Somerset.
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Also appearing in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 are right-hander Carlos Lagrange (No. 79), right-hander Elmer Rodríguez (No. 82) and shortstop Dax Kilby (No. 94).
At the Winter Meetings in December, general manager Brian Cashman spoke highly of Lombard, a shortstop and second baseman selected 26th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Lombard signed for an over-slot $3.3 million bonus.
The son of former big league outfielder George Lombard Sr. showed maturity and bat speed beyond his years while participating in big league Spring Training in 2025. With another opportunity to tackle Double-A pitching on deck, Lombard might be only a year away from pushing for an infield spot in the Bronx.
“He’s come a long way,” Cashman said. “He’s exciting. He’s got a lot of talent. The glove’s ahead of the bat. He could play defense in the big leagues right now, but he’s still developing on the hitting side. He’s an exciting, high-ceiling talent, but I don’t think he’s ready yet.”
COMPLETE YANKEES PROSPECT COVERAGE
Lagrange, 22, has climbed the system quickly by pairing triple-digit velocity with improved control since signing for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in February 2022.
The 6-foot-7 Lagrange pitched for Hudson Valley and Somerset in ’25, posting an 11-8 record and a 3.53 ERA across 24 games (23 starts). Over 120 innings, Lagrange struck out 168 batters against 62 walks, scattering 82 hits and holding opponents to a .191 batting average.
Acquired in a December 2024 trade that sent catcher Carlos Narváez to the Red Sox, Rodríguez might soon quiet questions about dealing a serviceable player to a historic rival.
The 22-year-old Rodríguez made an impact in his first year as a Yanks farmhand, compiling an 11-8 record and a 2.58 ERA across 27 games (26 starts) with Hudson Valley, Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In 150 innings, Rodríguez struck out 176 with 57 walks and 104 hits allowed, limiting opponents to a .192 average.
Kilby, 19, was the Yankees’ first-round selection (39th overall) in the 2025 MLB Draft, when he was one of the more polished high-school bats in the class.
Garnering an over-slot $2,797,500 bonus, Kilby flashed a quick and relatively compact left-handed stroke in his pro debut, slashing .353/.457/.441 (24-for-68) with two doubles, two triples, nine RBIs and 16 steals in 18 games for Single-A Tampa.