Yankees Top Prospect Soars into Top 15 of Midseason Rankings'

Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. has vaulted into elite territory. In The Athletic’s updated 2025 midseason prospect rankings, Keith Law placed Lombard at No. 14 overall, a massive jump from his preseason spot at No. 98.

This is why MLB teams have been calling and asking about Lombard in trade talks with the New York Yankees and why, according to YES Network insider Jack Curry, Brian Cashman is saying ‘NO!’

Lombard, now 20, tore through High-A and has spent most of the summer adjusting to Double-A arms. The early results don’t jump off the stat sheet, but Law sees a long-term impact player.

“He’s an outstanding athlete who definitely stays at short and probably ends up at least a 60 defender there,” Law wrote. “He should hit for average with good OBPs and plus defense… maybe just 12–15 homers a year—still a very valuable player.”

Law noted Lombard’s timing has been off against better velocity, leading to weak contact. But the bat speed is real, and the Yankees want him challenged. That challenge came in Double-A, where he’s shown advanced strike zone feel, even as the slugging lags behind.

The Yankees had just two players in the top 60 ranking by Law. 

Also making a surprise leap was Carlos Lagrange, who went from unranked before the season to No. 57. The 6-foot-7 right-hander struggled with a back injury in 2024 and seemed destined for a bullpen role, but he has become a force in Double-A.

 “The command still isn’t great, and he’s walked 15 percent of guys through seven appearances in Double A, but he’s athletic and it’s easy and it’s No. 2 starter stuff, just lacking the third pitch to be a potential ace,” Law wrote.