Aaron Judge’s Early Confidence in Yankees Prospect is Paying Off
Back in early March during spring training, Yankees captain Aaron Judge expressed strong confidence in shortstop George Lombard Jr., despite the teenager’s underwhelming 2024 season. Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, struggled with a .672 OPS and 114 strikeouts in 110 games across two minor league levels. Still, Judge saw potential others might have overlooked.
Speaking at camp, Judge praised Lombard Jr.’s athleticism, work ethic, and raw power, noting his smooth fielding and quiet determination. He believed the tools were already in place for the young prospect to become something special.
Judge’s belief appears to have been well-founded. Lombard Jr. has started the 2025 season on a tear and was just promoted to Double-A, making him the youngest player in the Eastern League at just 19 years old. At High-A, he was batting .329 with a .496 on-base percentage and showing improved plate discipline, with nearly as many walks as strikeouts.
Over his last 18 games before the promotion, Lombard Jr. hit .371 and maintained an impressive contact rate. His previously concerning strikeout issues have notably improved, signaling growth in a key area of his game. He’s also continuing to display speed and gap power, contributing both offensively and defensively.
While it remains to be seen how Lombard Jr.’s game will translate to the majors, his progress is promising. For a Yankees team looking for future stars, the emergence of Lombard Jr. is a significant boost. And for Judge, it’s a reaffirmation that his early instincts about the young talent were right on the mark.
