Lombard, Yanks’ top pick, homers in 1st spring game
TAMPA — The official record books won’t remember George Lombard Jr.’s two-run shot on Sunday, but the 18-year-old considers the homer to be his first as a pro.
Lombard, the Yankees’ firstround pick in 2023, went deep the other way off Blue Jays lefty Jimmy Robbins in the eighth of inning of the Bombers’ spring home opener. Earlier in the 12-6 win, Lombard watched Aaron Judge and Juan Soto play.
Soto drilled a three-run dinger off the scoreboard at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
“It was nothing short of amazing,” said Lombard, who didn’t know he’d get to play in the game until a few days ago. “It was really special to be out there, especially in the beginning with intros and the [helicopter] flyover and everything. It was really special. And then being on the field with those guys, superstars that have proven themselves in this game, it’s really cool. Those first few innings watching those guys play were really cool. And then I had to kind of focus up and get ready for my ABs.”
Lombard, who also walked in the game, said that he would take a screenshot of the box score as a keepsake. The shortstop ended up with a better souvenir, though, as he recovered the home run ball.
Lombard is the son of former outfielder and current Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr. The son said he planned to tell his dad about his unforgettable day over the phone, but he assumed his mom beat him to it.
The Yankees drafted Lombard 26th overall last year out of Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest, Florida), where he also starred for the soccer team. He received a $3.3 million signing bonus and is now considered the Yankees’ fifth-best prospect by MLB.com.
“It’s been a little bit of a roller coaster,” Lombard said of the months since the draft, “but everyone here, from all the staff, all the players, have been super welcoming and have kind of helped me assimilate into the new system, the new lifestyle, everything. It was a little crazy at first, but it’s been good. I’ve kind of settled in here, and it’s been great.”
Lombard got into 13 professional games in 2023, splitting time between Single-A Tampa and the rookie level Florida Complex League Yankees. He hit .311 with six RBI and four stolen bases.
“I know player development’s very excited about him,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s done a lot of really good things so far and opened a lot of eyes. It’s good to see him come over here and have some success.”
Boone added that he’s enjoyed getting to know and watch Lombard at the Yankees’ minor league facility in Tampa.
While the teenager’s bat stole the show on Sunday, Boone said Lombard’s glove has impressed during defensive drills at the Himes complex.
“They get really competitive over there, which is kind of fun,” the manager continued. “With a lot of our big leaguers over there, too, the intensity of some of the ground ball sessions they had and seeing him move — he moves like a shortstop. I mean, you can envision that body filling out even a little bit more. He’s got that kind of body that looks like a future big leaguer. You can envision what that’s going to look like in a few years.”
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Lombard, and whether he remains in pinstripes.
The Yankees already have a 22-year-old shortstop in Anthony Volpe. Oswald Peraza is only a year older, also plays the position and has some minor league experience.
There’s also Roderick Arias, the Yankees’ sixth-best prospect. The 19-year-old hasn’t played above rookie ball yet, but he’s got more professional games on his résumé than Lombard does.
But Lombard is too young to be thinking about organizational depth at his position. Any number of things could happen between now and the time he makes his big league debut, so why worry about that?
“When you start thinking too far in the future, you can get all out of whack. It can kind of throw off your mental state,” Lombard said. “Take it one step at a time and focus where my feet are.”