This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it repeatedly in your inbox.
It has been three weeks since George Lombard Jr. zipped his baggage, becoming a member of the Double-A Somerset Patriots on their highway journey in Akron, Ohio. The 19-year-old had earned a brand new problem on the increased ranges of the Yankees’ farm system.
Rated the membership’s No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline (No. 44 general in MLB), Lombard has been driving the highs of a powerful efficiency in massive league camp, seeing his title proceed to achieve foreign money throughout the skilled ranks. So how is he faring in his new uniform? Fairly effectively.
“It’s been good; it’s nonetheless baseball, it’s nonetheless [hitting] pitches,” Lombard stated. “On the finish of the day, you’re nonetheless going on the market and enjoying the sport. You’re nonetheless competing. In order that half is at all times going to remain the identical.”
Double-A supervisor Raul Domínguez stated Lombard’s presence has “put a whole lot of power” on the Somerset roster. Lombard showcased that on Sunday, going 2-for-3 with two walks, three runs scored and two stolen bases in a 7-5 loss at New Hampshire.
The efficiency prolonged Lombard’s on-base streak to 14 video games, tied for third-longest within the Jap League. General, Lombard has reached base safely in 15 of his first 16 Double-A video games.
“All people is aware of the instruments that he has,” Domínguez stated. “Maintain getting on base, stealing bases. I’m excited to have him. I do know all people has their eyes on him. He’s bought good sport consciousness. … It looks like he’s been enjoying right here for some time. It appears to be like fairly pure. It appears to be like good.”
Lombard’s early success in Somerset — and earlier than that, at Excessive-A Hudson Valley — is due largely to a affected person method that continues to enhance. His 37 walks lead the complete group — even Aaron Decide (34) is trying up at him.
“It’s at all times been an necessary a part of my sport,” Lombard stated. “I’ve at all times taken pleasure in staying in my zone and having an excellent eye general. I believe as I’m going up, and hopefully for the remainder of my profession, I’m going to maintain engaged on that. That can at all times be a powerful a part of my sport.”
Lombard leads all Yanks Minor Leaguers with a .457 on-base share and 37 runs scored. His 17 steals are tied with Brendan Jones for the group lead, whereas Lombard ranks fifth amongst all Yanks farmhands in batting common (.287), sixth in OPS (.847) and eighth in hits (39).
Defensively, Lombard has seen most of his motion at shortstop, however they’re sprinkling in begins at second and third base, too.
“It’s been cool,” he stated. “Over the previous 12 months, I’ve been shifting across the infield, simply being snug enjoying wherever and studying different positions. It’s often one, two video games per week at one other place, nevertheless it’s not tremendous set in stone.”
The almost certainly situation is that Lombard performs the remainder of his season in Double-A, the place he’s considerably youthful than the typical age for an Jap League participant (24.9).
Earlier than the season, MLB Pipeline pegged his massive league ETA as 2027, however based mostly on efficiency and organizational wants, don’t be shocked if that timeline accelerates.
“It’s been nice; from Day 1, getting drafted by a franchise that’s so storied and iconic because the Yankees,” Lombard stated. “Since I’ve gotten into the group, all people has handled me nice. I’ve had a good time. The participant growth has been all I can ask for. It’s simply been superior, and I’m going to attempt to preserve it going.”
