Yankees’ George Lombard Jr.’s future bright due to bevy of intangibles

ATLANTA — George Lombard Jr. camped under a pop-up and glanced at the hitter, who was not running hard out of the box to an occupied first base. With one out in the inning during the Double-A Somerset game, the shortstop thought quickly and allowed the ball to hit the grass. He scooped it up, fired to first base for one out and then watched his first baseman throw to second for an unorthodox but heady double play.

“That’s one of the plays that you rehearse over and over in your head, hoping that you get the chance to do it eventually,” Lombard said Saturday of a play he pulled off in late May. “When I’m out there I’m always thinking, trying to anticipate, trying to see what possibly can happen on this play just to be ahead of it.”

There are plenty of tangible reasons for the Yankees to like Lombard, though the IQ of a son of a coach is what they hope makes him the complete package.

All of Lombard’s tools added up to an impressive appearance in the Futures Game at Truist Park, where he made himself known — drawing a walk, stealing a base and manufacturing a run in his first plate appearance, ripping a double in his second and later getting robbed of a single by diving center fielder Slade Caldwell.

He was the lone Yankees representative but not alone.

Before the 4-2 National League win, he watched his brother, Jacob, compete in the All-Star High School Home Run Derby.

Their father, George, is a former major leaguer and the current Tigers bench coach. There is a lot of baseball knowledge that gets tossed around at family dinners.

Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. fields a ground during warmups before the MLB Futures Game, won 4-2 by the National League. Getty Images

Lombard Jr. might drop a pop-up on occasion when he can see a double play can be pulled off.

Last week, his dash home from third base on a ground ball to third gained some online attention: Lombard swung over to the field of play, sprinting home while on the grass several feet from the baseline, which likely played a role in the opposing third baseman throwing to the outside of the catcher — who then was too late for a tag, Lombard sliding in safely.

“That’s a play that my dad is talking about all the time,” said the 20-year-old, who answers questions professionally and with a smile. “I learned it from him. … It was fun to finally be able to pull one of those off in a game.”

It is not difficult to envision Lombard — a natural shortstop who also has played second and third this year, with versatility and athleticism (25 steals in 81 games this season) obvious assets — to find a home somewhere in the Yankees infield over the next few years.

There is no doubting the intangibles, and Lombard is working to improve the tangibles.

The 2023 first-round pick sailed through High-A Hudson Valley (a .983 OPS in 24 games) before starting slowly at Somerset, with whom he entered this break hitting .203 with a .633 OPS.

Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. hits during the third
inning of the MLB Futures Game. Getty Images

He said he has made some adjustments at the plate and has begun feeling comfortable against the higher-up pitchers.

“[Double-A is] definitely a difference,” said Lombard, who has had 354 plate appearances against pitchers older than him this season and two against a younger pitcher. “Guys are a little older, guys are a little more mature, know what they’re doing. … But overall, it’s still baseball, it’s still a game.”

Lombard is the top-ranked Yankees prospect, leapfrogging Spencer Jones in a system that could look much different in a few weeks.

A player with his makeup, ability and reputation, all before he can legally drink alcohol, likely would be the best trade chip GM Brian Cashman could cash in at the trade deadline.

A coach’s son understands as much — but also understands not to obsess about the future.

“I try to stay away from getting too caught up online and reading rumors and all that,” Lombard said. “Control what I can control for the most part. … I stay present and be a good teammate. And I just worry about my business every single day. Whatever happens is going to happen.”