The Yankees are big believers in George Lombard Jr.'s talent. It's why they gave him a run during Grapefruit League play this spring and it's why they pushed their top prospect to Triple-A at just 20 years old in late April.
What's a surefire way to prove you're ready for The Show? Well, hitting big league pitchers is a pretty big step. And that's exactly what Lombard did Friday at PNC Field, slugging homers off a pair of hurlers with MLB experience for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The RailRiders got off to an early start against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs as they resumed Thursday’s suspended game. Lombard came to the plate in the bottom of the fifth and hit a double 100.4 mph off the bat, coming around to score on a wild pitch. In the seventh inning, the 6-foot-2 shortstop was the first batter to face the rehabbing Kyle Backhus, who appeared in 10 games with the Phillies this season before landing on the injured list. Lombard welcomed him to the game by crushing a home run down the left-field line into the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre bullpen. The RailRiders went on to lose 7-4.
Acting as a true doubleheader, the RailRiders were back on the field shortly thereafter. Lombard, hitting leadoff, was quickly back in the batter’s box, this time facing Alan Rangel, who has one Major League game on his résumé in 2026. MLB’s No. 18 prospect jumped on an 0-1 pitch, sending a home run 403 feet to left-center. It was Lombard’s only hit of the seven-inning game as the RailRiders dropped the second tilt, 6-3.
Lombard’s performance at the plate across the game-plus was one of his best since his promotion. After blazing through Double-A to start the season, where he posted a .312 average and .971 OPS, Lombard cooled off considerably after moving to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. While his .221 average currently ranks last on the team among qualified players, his fielding remains strong at the three different infield spots he's drawn starts at -- shortstop (32), third base (four) and second base (three).
COMPLETE YANKEES PROSPECT COVERAGE
The transition period is to be expected due to Lombard’s age. Having just turned 21 earlier this month, he is the second-youngest position player to appear in the International League in 2026. Former No. 1 prospect and current big leaguer Konnor Griffin started the season in the league at 20 years old.