New York Yankees fans are already familiar with the name George Lombard Jr. The 20-year-old shortstop prospect is one of the top talents in their organization, and a consensus top-50 prospect in baseball.
After Wednesday, Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet will remember Lombard’s name as well.
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Crochet gave up only two hits in 2.2 innings of a spring training game against the Yankees on Wednesday. Both came at the hands of Lombard: a home run in the first inning to lead off the game, and a single in the third inning that left his bat at 108.5 mph.
That Lombard went 2-for-2 in a spring training game is nothing unusual. That he did so against Crochet — a two-time All-Star who last year finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting — is impressive. The added spring specter of a game between the Yankees and the Red Sox didn’t hurt.
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Lombard’s performance was enough for some to speculate whether he will push incumbent shortstop Anthony Volpe off the position in 2026.
Volpe, still just 24, is a fine defender with a suspect bat. He slashed .212/.272/.391 in 2025, with 19 home runs but only an 83 OPS+ (a composite stat in which 100 is league-average). In three MLB seasons he’s hit .222 with limited on-base ability (.283 OBP).
Volpe is still recovering from a partially torn shoulder labrum that required surgery last year. It’s reasonable to assume the injury sapped some of his ability at the plate in 2025. His ability to recover from the procedure casts doubt on the kind of hitter he’ll be once he returns.
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The Yankees have veteran Jose Caballero ready to be their Opening Day shortstop. But Lombard is the clear shortstop of the future in the Bronx; the only question is whether the future is now or later.
For a day Wednesday, Lombard certainly seemed to have arrived.
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