LOMBARD JR. IS A REAL SHORTSTOP

 

At what point do we stop sugarcoating it? Anthony Volpe isn’t “playing aggressively.” He’s making boneheaded plays and calling it ambition. He’s not “learning on the fly” — he’s crash-landing into games, looking dazed and confused half the time, then shrugging it off in the postgame like we didn’t all just witness defensive malpractice in real-time.

And somehow, Aaron Boone and the Yankees front office keep spoon-feeding us this narrative that Volpe is elite. Please. If being elite means booting grounders and launching throws into the bleachers while trying to be a hero, then congratulations — he’s a Hall of Famer in whatever fantasy league they're running in the Bronx.

Here’s the truth: Volpe isn’t cutting it. And the cavalry might be coming sooner than we think. His name? George Lombard Jr.

Lombard’s about to suit up for the American League in the Futures Game, and it’s no accident. The kid came into spring training flashing tools like a Swiss Army knife. Then he blitzed High-A pitching like it owed him money — posting ridiculous numbers across 24 games before moving up to Double-A. Yes, he’s cooled off a bit (.660 OPS in 48 games), but context matters. He’s still adjusting, still evolving, and still oozing star potential.

Let’s talk defense — because that’s where Lombard Jr. makes Volpe look like he’s playing blindfolded. Lombard plays shortstop, second, and third. He’s got soft hands, a cannon for an arm, and actual instincts, not “vibes.” He doesn’t try to be flashy for the YES Network cameras. He just makes the play. Imagine that.

And offensively? Analysts already agree: Lombard has a higher ceiling than Volpe. He’s not up there hacking at everything with a pulse — he gets on base, draws walks, and actually understands the strike zone. He’s still raw, sure. But raw talent with real polish on the horizon? That’s exactly what the Yankees need.

Let’s be honest — if the Yankees were truly the forward-thinking, stat-obsessed, analytics-worshipping brain trust they claim to be, they’d already have their eyes glued to every Lombard at-bat. Volpe’s defensive follies and offensive mediocrity can only be excused for so long before someone finally calls it what it is: not good enough.

So go ahead and keep trotting out Volpe if you want, Boone. Keep spinning the same tired postgame clichés. But don’t be shocked when George Lombard Jr. shows up, takes the job, and makes it painfully clear that the Yankees backed the wrong horse.

Tick tock.