The New York Yankees have not gotten much out of the shortstop position this year, and could use a change.
According to Yankees insider Ryan Garcia, the team is contemplating calling up top prospect George Lombard Jr.
"As the New York Yankees embark on a long road trip that begins in Philadelphia, club officials are mulling over what to do with their top prospect, George Lombard Jr.," Garcia wrote for Empire Sports Media on Thursday. "The organization is actively considering whether to promote him from Triple-A or not, which would immediately result in him becoming the starting shortstop in all likelihood."
Anthony Volpe has a .247 batting average and a .663 OPS on the season. Lombard has only played in 46 Triple-A games, but has a .832 OPS. Since June, the Yankees have gotten a .291 OBP and 79wRC+ from the shortstop position, per Garcia. In that same span, Lombard ranks second with a 185 wRC+. He also ranks fourth in OPS (1.114) and OBP (.463).
Lombard is only 21 years old and would seemingly take over as the starting shortstop if he were called up. He is the Yankees' No. 1 prospect on MLB Pipeline and has ascended from Rookie Ball to Triple-A this season. He dominated in Double-A and only spent 20 games at that level.
MLB Pipeline ranks him as the 20th-best prospect in baseball. He is the 17th-best position player and the 10th-best infielder. He has 45 hits in Triple-A, and 20 have gone for extra bases. Even if he isn't as good right away in the big leagues, it's not going to be hard for him to perform better than Volpe.