ARLINGTON, Texas – George Lombard Jr. is suddenly on the doorstep of the big leagues.
The Yankees have promoted their top prospect to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, a source confirmed on Tuesday night, after he crushed the first month of the season at Double-A Somerset.
Lombard, who turns 21 on June 2, was batting .312 with a .971 OPS in 20 games at Somerset after going through some growing pains in 108 games there last year.
The Yankees believe that the shortstop — who has also played some occasional third base — is already ready defensively for the big leagues, but they wanted to see his bat catch up to his glove.
Lombard has impressed in each of the last two springs, as a non-roster invite to big league camp, both with his talent and his character.
The son of a former big leaguer (and current Tigers bench coach), Lombard has often been lauded for his “off-the-charts” makeup and baseball IQ.
It may not be long before the organization’s first-round pick in 2023 makes it to The Bronx — the only question, now that he is just one level away from the major leagues, is how soon it happens.