The New York Yankees’ top prospect, George Lombard Jr., is taking on a huge leadership role with the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots. Lombard Jr isn’t hitting to cover off the ball in Double-A, but he’s playing great defense and doing all of the little things right.
“I’m not one of the older guys here, but I’m in the lineup every day playing an important position so I gotta take that role and make sure I’m there for the guys everyday bring that good mentality and leadership qualities,” Lombard Jr. told the media before his game against the Mets Double-A affiliate the Binghamton Mets.
Lombard Jr. is Cuban American, and another key competency in his leadership skills is being bilingual.
“It’s super helpful being able to help out my guys that need translations in English and Spanish…. being able to help my pitchers and catchers communicate and things like that,” Lombard Jr. said.
The baseball world views him highly, as he is the 25th-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline.com. He has six home runs, 24 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and a slash line of .203/.318/.342 in 286 at-bats with the Patriots. The .660 OPS won’t jump off the page, although it’s important to note that the Eastern League only has four of its 12 teams hitting for an OPS at .700 or higher.
“It’s felt good, there are ups and downs,” Lombard Jr. told the media. “I had to make a couple of adjustments to baseball, that’s how it is. As I progress and learn how I am getting pitched, I feel like I’ve gotten better,” Lombard Jr. told the media on his adjustment to the Double-A level.
“It’s more of an approach adjustment than swing. I don’t feel like it’s the right time for me to go crazy with mechanical changes with my swing right now.”
Lombard Jr. has now been in Double-A since May 6, when he was promoted from the Yankees’ High-A affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades. His combined numbers on the season are seven home runs, 37 RBI, 29 stolen bases, and a slash line of .231/.364/.372 in 449 at-bats with the Renegades and Patriots.
“I think the biggest challenge in general is dealing with the daily grind and the struggles when things aren’t going your way, but still being able to show up and compete, help your team and be a good teammate,” Lombard Jr. told World Baseball Network.
Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. interview on season highlights and challenges of Double-A with the Somerset Patriots. pic.twitter.com/xQLyaSwqLl
— Julian Guilarte (@JulianGuilarte1) August 8, 2025
Lombard Jr. hit one home run and had two RBI in the series against the Binghamton Mets last week.
He comes from a baseball family, with his father, George Lombard Sr., being a former MLB player and now a coach with the Detroit Tigers. He was also a coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2016 to 2022. During this time, Lombard Jr. got to get a behind-the-scenes look at how Corey Seager prepared. Getting to learn from the fellow shortstop was invaluable to Lombard. Jr.
“I got to spend time with him when my dad coached with the Dodgers. When my dad was first there, he was like a 21 or 22-year-old shortstop. Just watching him work, whether it was hitting or how he played defense, was a great opportunity to learn and see how he went about his business.”
Yankees Top Prospect George Lombard Jr. on learning from Corey Seager when he was with the Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/7DgLuuV6yJ
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) August 9, 2025
Lombard Jr. will most likely stay in Double-A for the duration of this season. There is a chance he could get the call-up to MLB next season with the Yankees.
