George Lombard Jr. is a promising prospect with a first-round pedigree. Drafted twenty sixth total in 2023 out of Gulliver Preparatory College in Pinecrest, Florida, the right-handed-hitting shortstop can also be the son of former large league outfielder (and present Detroit Tigers bench coach) George Lombard. Assigned a forty five FV by lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen, the athletically gifted teen is not any. 4 on our just lately launched New York Yankees Prime Prospects record.
The 19-year-old’s first full skilled season was a blended bag statistically. Over 497 plate appearances between Low-A Tampa and Excessive-A Hudson Valley, Lombard logged a .231/.338/.334 slash line, a 99 wRC+, and 32 extra-base hits, 5 of which left the yard. Profiting from his plus wheels, he swiped 39 bases in 47 makes an attempt.
Lombard mentioned his recreation late within the 2024 season.
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David Laurila: I’ve seen you listed at 6-foot-2, 190 kilos. How correct is that, and the place do you see your self going ahead?
George Lombard Jr: “I’m 6-foot-3 and round 205 kilos. I’ll placed on some extra weight within the subsequent few years, and I feel our purpose will find yourself being round 215, possibly 220. We consider that I can nonetheless be quick as I placed on weight, so we’re going to proceed to do this. A whole lot of it is going to simply include bodily maturing over time, and placing within the work within the weight room.”
Laurila: When Xander Bogaerts was developing via the Purple Sox system, many stated that he would quickly outgrow shortstop. He’s gone on to play properly over a thousand video games on the place.
Lombard: “Sure, lots of people will say issues like that, however for those who go searching, there are a number of shortstops who’re that large, and even larger. You see Corey Seager. You see Elly De La Cruz. There may be Oneil Cruz. Guys like which are monstrous shortstops. I’m assured in my capacity to remain there, so long as I preserve placing within the work.”
Laurila: What about the way you profile as a hitter? Do you see your self as extra of an influence man, or extra of a man who places the ball in play and makes use of his pace?
Lombard: “I really feel like I can mix slightly little bit of each. Clearly, as I placed on extra weight and get stronger, the extra energy will come into my recreation. However I clearly need to preserve the hit software. I need to in a position to get my hits, get on base, and run the bases properly. My purpose is to be well-rounded.”
Laurila: Have you ever modified in any respect mechanically since coming to professional ball? As an illustration, if I in contrast movie of you then to now, would I see the identical setup and swing?
Lombard: “I most likely have slightly bit extra of a leg kick proper now, however the primary parts of the swing are very comparable. That hasn’t modified a ton. There are small variations right here and there, although. A part of that’s how I’m slightly larger and stronger than I used to be a 12 months in the past. However nothing too loopy, nothing too drastic.”
Laurila: Is you swing constructed for loft, or does it have extra of a flatter aircraft?
Lombard: “Popping out of highschool, I had slightly loftier swing path. I struggled slightly bit with pitches up within the zone, so we’ve labored to regulate that, permitting me to get to all components of the zone higher. I need to be adjustable to the place I may be flatter on the high of the zone, after which have extra loft on pitches which are on the backside of the zone.
“If you get to professional ball, you’re dealing with extra velocity than you’ve been seeing frequently, and it is advisable to alter to that whereas ensuring you’re in a position to cowl all components of the zone — particularly up high when guys are throwing actually laborious.”
Laurila: Leaping again to the leg kick, I assume that’s largely about consolation degree along with your timing and rhythm?
Lombard: “Yeah, simply ensuring I’m loaded into my legs, ensuring I’m utilizing them proper and getting energy out of my swing. We don’t need to waste any of the facility that my physique can produce. So it’s about that, and ensuring my timing is true — simply the general really feel of it. Once more, [the leg kick] isn’t something large; it’s not one thing that may bounce out at you whenever you see my swing. It simply helps me really feel extra comfy within the field.”
Laurila: Your father hit from the left aspect, and also you hit from the appropriate aspect. How did that come about?
Lombard: “I’m naturally a righty, however once I was youthful, I’d at all times switch-hit. I nonetheless do in BP typically, however I’ve at all times simply felt extra comfy, and robust, from the appropriate aspect.”
Laurila: Why do you typically take swings from the left aspect? Is it mainly only for enjoyable, or are you retaining that within the toolbox, simply in case you want it some day?
Lombard: “I assume you possibly can say that, but it surely’s extra about night out my physique. If you’re taking a ton of swings from the appropriate aspect, it’s good to additionally take a pair from the left aspect and loosen your self up. It simply helps my physique really feel higher total.”
Laurila: Your youthful brother Jacob is a extremely regarded Florida prep participant who will likely be draft eligible in 2026, and is outwardly fairly gifted. With households in thoughts, do the 2 of you recognize Jackson and Ethan Holliday? Ethan is a candidate to go first total this summer time.
Lombard: “My brother is aware of Ethan, as a result of he’s performed with him in the summertime. They have been roommates slightly bit, so he’s gotten to know him, however I haven’t met both Jackson or Ethan.”
Laurila: Who is best, you or your brother?
Lombard: “In the event you ask each of us the query, I feel we’ll each say we’re higher. We’ll must see. Time will inform, however he’s fairly good too.”
