It has become commonplace for players to have fathers who played professional baseball. There are at least 10 players currently on the roster whose fathers also appeared in a Major League game. In recent years, Jacob Wilson and Justin Crawford made their debuts after having All-Star fathers. Even more recently, there have been players who’ve had multiple sons appear in professional baseball. The best example is the Holliday family. Matt Holliday was an All-Star, and he now has two sons who play professional baseball. The newest addition to this list could be the Lombard Family.
Baseball runs in the family.
Tigers bench coach George Lombard and his son, Yankees 2023 first-round draft pick George Lombard Jr., have had the chance to face each other in spring action this season. pic.twitter.com/RVwBG14RPY
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 14, 2024
George Lombard was a professional baseball player in the late-90s and early 2000s. He appeared in games for four different teams, but played in only 144 career games. His oldest son is currently the top prospect in the Yankees system, and his youngest is a top prospect in the upcoming draft. The youngest members of the Lombard family are now poised to make a lasting impact on Major League Baseball for years to come.
Eldest of the Lombard Family
George Lombard Jr. – (SS) New York Yankees
George Lombard Jr. was recently promoted to Triple-A by the Yankees organization. This is in large part due to his torrid numbers in Double-A. He batted .312 with four home runs in 20 games and walked at nearly a 1:1 pace to strikeouts. Lombard has made significant improvements in driving the ball and has tapped into more power over the last two seasons. He has struggled to hit fastballs in the past, but if he continues to take steps forward, he could be a 20-20 guy. Defensively, he more than holds his own at shortstop and can play second and third, as well. The eldest member of the Lombard family could see time in the Big Apple as soon as this season.
George Lombard Jr. is reportedly getting called up to Triple-A 👏 https://t.co/PIBoLtXP5A
— MLB (@MLB) April 29, 2026
Yankees fans have long been frustrated by Anthony Volpe at shortstop. The fruits of the Lombard family tree might have the answer for them. George Lombard Jr. is currently off to a hot start at the plate and is more than competent defensively. Since being drafted as an overslot guy in 2023, he’s moved up prospect rankings everywhere. He currently slots as the top prospect in the Yankees system and 27th on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects.
New and Improved of the Lombard Family
Jacob Lombard – SS (Gulliver Prep HS)
Jacob Lombard comes from the greater Miami area for the 2026 draft this June. He is regarded as one of the top five prospects in the draft, a much higher value than either of the previously drafted members of the Lombard family. Already the same size as his brother, Jacob should be a more offensive threat than George. He looks to generate more power than his older brother and be as good a hitter. The two brothers share a similar weakness when it comes to hitting the fastball. Defensively, there are questions about his arm, but he has plenty of athleticism to stick at short.
Jacob Lombard is the second-best prep hitter and is one of the best overall shortstops in the draft behind Roch Cholowsky. While he may drop in the draft due to the fact that top college performers have a tendency to rise up draft boards, Lombard should end up in the top ten of the draft. He is currently committed to his hometown college at the University of Miami. If Jacob is drafted, he will likely be the third of the Lombard family to skip college for the big leagues.
Main Photo Credits: Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
