NEW YORK – The Yankees were asked repeatedly about George Lombard Jr. ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, swatting away each request. They envisioned the shortstop wearing pinstripes – and it’s happening sooner than some may have expected.
Lombard – the Yankees’ top prospect per MLB Pipeline – is being promoted to the Major Leagues for Tuesday’s game against the Cardinals at Yankee Stadium, a source told MLB.com. The 21-year-old infielder’s promotion was first reported by the YES Network.
The Yankees made several roster moves after their 13-7 loss to the Cardinals, optioning right-hander Angel Chivilli, outfielder Jasson Domínguez and shortstop Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
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.
“I think he’s improved a lot offensively this year,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said recently. “He keeps getting better and better. One thing he does is control the zone and has some power. But that next level of hittability, it seems like he’s gotten better this year. He’s playing really well right now.
“… He brings a lot of things to the table. Good speed, outstanding defense, power and the ability to control the zone. I feel like his hittability has improved this year quite a bit from last year.”
The son of former Major League outfielder and current Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr., Lombard was the Yankees’ first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft (26th overall).
“It’s really impressive to see a young man who consistently struggles at every level, then after four or five weeks, figures it out and flips the switch,” said one veteran rival scout, who has seen Lombard play at every level of the Yankees’ system. “It says a lot about his professionalism and his maturity.”
COMPLETE YANKEES PROSPECT COVERAGE
The scout said he believes Lombard is ready for an opportunity in the Major Leagues.
“I wouldn’t expect much offense quickly, but I’ve seen his raw power. He would give you exceptional defense,” the scout said. “He’s an accurate thrower and an exceptional baserunner. I would bat him near the bottom of the order. He will give you consistent at-bats. I see him as the Yankees’ shortstop of the future.”
The move also represents another chapter in Volpe’s turbulent career. The Yankees’ first-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Volpe won the starting shortstop job during Spring Training in 2023, but has been impacted by injury and underperformance.
After hitting .222 with a .662 OPS over his first three seasons in New York, Volpe began this season on the injured list following offseason shoulder surgery, but then wasn’t brought up to the Yankees after he completed his rehab assignment.
He got the call after José Caballero broke a finger in mid-May, but has produced just a .647 OPS with one home run in 56 games. Most recently, he and Caballero had been splitting duties at shortstop; Caballero started on Tuesday.
Volpe’s biggest moment came during the 2024 World Series, when he hit a grand slam in Game 4 to help power the Yankees to an 11-4 win over the Dodgers.
