George Lombard Jr. Is a Promising Prospect Growing Into His Game

George Lombard Jr. is a promising prospect with a first-round pedigree. Drafted 26th overall in 2023 out of Gulliver Preparatory School in Pinecrest, Florida, the right-handed-hitting shortstop is also the son of former big league outfielder (and current Detroit Tigers bench coach) George Lombard. Assigned a 45 FV by lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen, the athletically gifted youngster is no. 4 on our recently released New York Yankees Top Prospects list.

The 19-year-old’s first full professional season was a mixed bag statistically. Over 497 plate appearances between Low-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley, Lombard logged a .231/.338/.334 slash line, a 99 wRC+, and 32 extra-base hits, five of which left the yard. Taking advantage of his plus wheels, he swiped 39 bases in 47 attempts.

Lombard discussed his game late in the 2024 season.

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David Laurila: I’ve seen you listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. How accurate is that, and where do you see yourself going forward?

George Lombard Jr: “I’m 6-foot-3 and around 205 pounds. I’ll put on some more weight in the next few years, and I think our goal will end up being around 215, maybe 220. We believe that I can still be fast as I put on weight, so we’re going to continue to do that. A lot of it will just come with physically maturing over time, and putting in the work in the weight room.”

Laurila: When Xander Bogaerts was coming up through the Red Sox system, many said that he would soon outgrow shortstop. He’s gone on to play well over a thousand games at the position.

Lombard: “Yes, a lot of people will say things like that, but if you look around, there are a lot of shortstops who are that big, or even bigger. You see Corey Seager. You see Elly De La Cruz. There is Oneil Cruz. Guys like that are monstrous shortstops. I’m confident in my ability to stay there, as long as I keep putting in the work.”

Laurila: What about how you profile as a hitter? Do you see yourself as more of a power guy, or more of a guy who puts the ball in play and uses his speed?

Lombard: “I feel like I can blend a little bit of both. Obviously, as I put on more weight and get stronger, the more power will come into my game. But I obviously want to maintain the hit tool. I want to able to get my hits, get on base, and run the bases well. My goal is to be well-rounded.”

Laurila: Have you changed at all mechanically since coming to pro ball? For instance, if I compared film of you then to now, would I see the same setup and swing?

Lombard: “I probably have a little bit more of a leg kick right now, but the main components of the swing are very similar. That hasn’t changed a ton. There are small differences here and there, though. Part of that is how I’m a little bigger and stronger than I was a year ago. But nothing too crazy, nothing too drastic.”

Laurila: Is you swing built for loft, or does it have more of a flatter plane?

Lombard: “Coming out of high school, I had a little loftier swing path. I struggled a little bit with pitches up in the zone, so we’ve worked to adjust that, allowing me to get to all parts of the zone better. I want to be adjustable to where I can be flatter at the top of the zone, and then have more loft on pitches that are at the bottom of the zone.

“When you get to pro ball, you’re facing more velocity than you’ve been seeing on a regular basis, and you need to adjust to that while making sure you’re able to cover all parts of the zone — especially up top when guys are throwing really hard.”

Laurila: Jumping back to the leg kick, I assume that’s mostly about comfort level with your timing and rhythm?

Lombard: “Yeah, just making sure I’m loaded into my legs, making sure I’m using them right and getting power out of my swing. We don’t want to waste any of the power that my body can produce. So it’s about that, and making sure my timing is right — just the overall feel of it. Again, [the leg kick] isn’t anything huge; it’s not something that will jump out at you when you see my swing. It just helps me feel more comfortable in the box.”

Laurila: Your father hit from the left side, and you hit from the right side. How did that come about?

Lombard: “I’m naturally a righty, but when I was younger, I would always switch-hit. I still do in BP sometimes, but I’ve always just felt more comfortable, and strong, from the right side.”

Laurila: Why do you sometimes take swings from the left side? Is it basically just for fun, or are you keeping that in the toolbox, just in case you need it some day?

Lombard: “I guess you could say that, but it’s more about evening out my body. When you’re taking a ton of swings from the right side, it’s good to also take a couple from the left side and loosen yourself up. It just helps my body feel better overall.”

Laurila: Your younger brother Jacob is a highly regarded Florida prep player who will be draft eligible in 2026, and is apparently pretty talented. With families in mind, do the two of you know Jackson and Ethan Holliday? Ethan is a candidate to go first overall this summer.

Lombard: “My brother knows Ethan, because he’s played with him in the summer. They were roommates a little bit, so he’s gotten to know him, but I haven’t met either Jackson or Ethan.”

Laurila: Who is better, you or your brother?

Lombard: “If you ask both of us the question, I think we’ll both say we’re better. We’ll have to see. Time will tell, but he’s pretty good too.”

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