George Lombard Jr. is a promising prospect with a first-round pedigree. Drafted twenty sixth general 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 teenager is not any. 4 on our not too long ago launched New York Yankees Prime Prospects listing.
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 try this. Loads of it’ll 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 mentioned 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 in case you go searching, there are a variety of shortstops who’re that large, and even greater. You see Corey Seager. You see Elly De La Cruz. There’s Oneil Cruz. Guys like which are monstrous shortstops. I’m assured in my potential 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 a bit of 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 wish to keep the hit device. I wish to capable of 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 example, if I in contrast movie of you then to now, would I see the identical setup and swing?
Lombard: “I in all probability have a bit of bit extra of a leg kick proper now, however the principle 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 a bit of greater 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 airplane?
Lombard: “Popping out of highschool, I had a bit of loftier swing path. I struggled a bit of 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 wish to be adjustable to the place I might be flatter on the high of the zone, after which have extra loft on pitches which are on the backside of the zone.
“Once you get to professional ball, you’re dealing with extra velocity than you’ve been seeing frequently, and you must regulate to that whereas ensuring you’re capable of cowl all components of the zone — particularly up high when guys are throwing actually exhausting.”
Laurila: Leaping again to the leg kick, I assume that’s principally 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 wish to waste any of the facility that my physique can produce. So it’s about that, and ensuring my timing is correct — simply the general really feel of it. Once more, [the leg kick] isn’t something big; it’s not one thing that can leap out at you whenever you see my swing. It simply helps me really feel extra snug within the field.”
Laurila: Your father hit from the left aspect, and also you hit from the best aspect. How did that come about?
Lombard: “I’m naturally a righty, however once I was youthful, I might all the time switch-hit. I nonetheless do in BP generally, however I’ve all the time simply felt extra snug, and powerful, from the best aspect.”
Laurila: Why do you generally take swings from the left aspect? Is it mainly only for enjoyable, or are you holding that within the toolbox, simply in case you want it some day?
Lombard: “I suppose you might say that, nevertheless it’s extra about night out my physique. Once you’re taking a ton of swings from the best 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 general.”
Laurila: Your youthful brother Jacob is a extremely regarded Florida prep participant who can 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 general this summer season.
Lombard: “My brother is aware of Ethan, as a result of he’s performed with him in the summertime. They have been roommates a bit of bit, so he’s gotten to know him, however I haven’t met both Jackson or Ethan.”
Laurila: Who is healthier, you or your brother?
Lombard: “In case you ask each of us the query, I feel we’ll each say we’re higher. We’ll should see. Time will inform, however he’s fairly good too.”