Yankees’ top prospect already ‘comfortable’ against MLB arms and it shows

If George Lombard Jr. struck out against Phillies ace Zach Wheeler on Tuesday, it still would’ve been a productive at-bat for the Yankees top prospect.

Lombard is only 19. Last year was the first-rounder’s first full season in the Yankees’ system, a campaign where he finished in High-A Hudson Valley. The phenom has a long road ahead to climb through Double-A, Triple-A and eventually get the call to the big leagues.

Just a chance to step in the box against a pitcher of Wheeler’s caliber is a tremendous experience for a player like Lombard. It’s what an invitation to big-league camp is all about.

But Lombard wasn’t on the hunt for a moral victory on Tuesday, starting against Wheeler and the Phillies. He dug in against the two-time All-Star in his first at-bat with a plan and he executed, another taste of what he’s made of and what his future holds.

Lombard pounced on a first-pitch sinker from the right-hander that caught the heart of the plate and he lined a single into right field. At 106.4 mph, Lombard’s knock was the hardest-hit ball from any Yankee in the 12-3 onslaught win over Philadelphia.

This comes after Lombard blasted his second homer of the spring on Monday night, another no-doubter to left at Steinbrenner Field. Factor in a second single later in Tuesday’s win and the infielder is now 5-for-15 this spring with a 1.145 OPS.

“I feel good, I feel comfortable,” Lombard told reporters after the win at BayCare Ballpark. “I feel like my swing is in a pretty good spot right now. It’s still baseball. They’re still throwing from the same mound. So just go out there and try to stick with your plan and put a good swing on it.”

Lombard has a reputation for having a makeup that’s off the charts. It certainly helped that he grew up in and around MLB clubhouses. His father, George, played parts of six seasons in the majors before transitioning to coaching. He’s currently the Tigers’ bench coach and previously worked as the Dodgers’ first-base coach, winning a World Series with Los Angeles in 2020.

Asked if he’s aware of the buzz surrounding his name this spring, Lombard admitted that he’s heard some of it. But he isn’t satisfied and isn’t letting that noise distract him from his work this spring.

“That’s really not what I’m focused on right now,” Lombard said. “It’s still early in spring. Got a lot of time left. My goal is just to keep doing what I’m doing, stay focused on my work, and just try to learn something new every single day. Really just get better here.”

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Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com.