George Lombard Jr. unlike recent Yankees shortstops

Shortstop George Lombard Jr. has quickly emerged as a key part of the New York Yankees.

Lombard has helped make up for the absences of outfielders Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger in the lineup, posting a solid .270/.357/.459 batting line over his 42 plate appearances, hitting a pair of home runs and a double. His athleticism gives the Yankees a dynamic element in the lineup that they have lacked over the years.

However, as impressive as he may be with the bat, Lombard's greatest value may be with his glove. He entered Monday tied for fourth in the American League with four defensive runs saved despite playing in a fraction of the games as the rest of the leaderboard.

George Lombard Jr. giving New York Yankees sorely needed defensive presence at shortstop

Runs saved first emerged as a defensive metric in 2003. Since that time, Yankees shortstops have been the worst in the majors by that metric, costing New York 195 runs defensively. While Yankees shortstops won six Gold Glove awards in that time frame — Derek Jeter won five (2004-06, 2009-10) and Anthony Volpe was the 2023 Gold Glove winner — they have hardly been a paragon of defense.

Lombard could change that perception. He had drawn rave reviews as the Yankees' top prospect for his defense. Lombard's instincts, quick hands and strong arm gave him the ceiling of a potential Gold Glove-caliber shortstop. 

Lombard Jr. has injected the Yankees lineup with needed athleticism. His defense could make just as much of an impact going forward.