PHILADELPHIA — Anthony Volpe was back in the lineup at shortstop for the Yankees on Friday against the Phillies, but there’s just as much interest in the starting shortstop at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Top prospect George Lombard Jr. was in the leadoff spot after being used only as a pinch-runner for SWB on Thursday.
And with the Yankees without an everyday starting shortstop, questions will continue about the spot.
Asked Friday about the uncertainty surrounding the position — both with battling for time with José Caballero and knowing Lombard is on the team’s radar — Volpe said, “It’s not my job to be concerned with that. I’m here to help the team win. I’m ready to go every day to help the team.”
That includes, Volpe said, staying in touch with Lombard, who he played with at SWB while Volpe was rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery and again when he was optioned to Triple-A once it ended.
“He’s doing well,” Volpe said. “I’ve talked to him a little bit, like I would with anyone else.”
Lombard, though, is not just somebody else.
Since coming back from an IL stint because of sprained fingers, Lombard has played well.
Entering Friday, in four games with SWB since his injury, Lombard was 9-for-17 with four extra-base hits.
Interestingly, Aaron Boone has not shied away from addressing Lombard in recent weeks as the 21-year-old plays his way into the conversation for a spot on the major league roster.
Before the Yankees opened a series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, the manager noted that in addition to the superb defense Lombard has displayed since being drafted by the organization, he’s more recently developed physically and at the plate.
“He’s improved a lot offensively,’’ Boone said.
After pointing out how Lombard controls the strike zone and has “some power,” Boone spoke twice about his “hit-abilty.”
A National League scout who’s seen Lombard since his return from the IL agreed.
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“He’s smarter up there and knows his strengths,’’ the scout said. “It’s what you want to see from a player with that much skill and that good of a work ethic.”
“He’s playing really well now,” Boone said. “Especially coming off the injury… He’s come back and it seems like he hasn’t missed a beat. His performance has been excellent. He brings a lot of things to the table.’’
The next question, which only the Yankees can answer, is if he’s ready to contribute to their playoff push this season.
He began this year at Double-A Somerset, having played two full minor league seasons out of high school.
And Lombard has played just 48 games at the Triple-A level.
As Boone said, he’s put “himself in the conversation.”
Asked what else the organization would need to see before calling him up, Boone said, “I don’t know. He’s done a great job. We’ll see.”
