Feb 22, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) is congratulated after he scored a run during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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George Lombard Jr.’s big spring: Will he break camp with the Yankees?

Is it too soon?

“He’s gonna be something special,” Yankees captain Aaron Judge said of 19-year-old George Lombard Jr. The highly touted prospect has turned heads throughout spring training, showing promise well beyond his years.

19-year-old @Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. crushes his second #SpringTraining homer 🚀 pic.twitter.com/x16CjhrIUD
— MLB (@MLB) March 4, 2025

In just 15 at-bats, Lombard has already made an impact, slashing .333 with two home runs and four RBIs. He continued to impress on Tuesday against the Phillies, delivering a 106 mph single off right-hander Zack Wheeler while getting another start at shortstop.

And it’s not just scouts and executives taking notice, the 2023 first-round pick (26th overall) has already caught the attention of potential future teammates.

Another day, another knock for George Lombard Jr. 👊 pic.twitter.com/PLfnBb9Smy
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 4, 2025

“The tools are all there. I saw him take ground balls on Field 2, and he had an infield of Jazz [Chisholm Jr.], [Anthony] Volpe, and Ben Rice. [Lombard] was smooth and athletic at third base. I know he’s a shortstop, but watching him at different spots, I’m excited for the future,” Judge said at Steinbrenner Field.

“He’s a great kid. He’s a hard worker who goes and does his thing. He doesn’t say much. He shows up and does what he needs to do. And the power he’s already showing, he’s gonna be something special.”

Lombard, traditionally a shortstop, has also spent time at second and third base in his minor league career, showcasing the versatility that could accelerate his path to the majors. But despite his strong spring, the Yankees face a difficult decision.

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At just 19, Lombard remains a long-term project. While the Yankees’ biggest immediate need is at third base, a position Lombard can play, fast-tracking his development for a short-term fix would be an unusual and risky move. The organization has a history of patience with its top prospects, and George Lombard Jr., ranked as the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline (behind only Jasson Dominguez), is not expected to make his major league debut before 2027.

There’s no denying the excitement surrounding Lombard’s rapid progress. But for now, as promising as he looks, the Yankees are likely to stick with their long-term plan, letting him develop at his own pace rather than rushing him onto the Opening Day roster.

George Lombard Jr.

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.