With Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgical procedure and certain out till Might, another person would be the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop for the primary time since 2022.
There’s no cause to suppose that George Lombard Jr. can be Volpe’s substitute, as Brian Cashman careworn that the highest prospect, ranked twenty fifth general by MLB.com, remains to be in “development mode” earlier this month.
“He’s come a long way,” the overall supervisor continued when requested about Lombard on the Winter Conferences. “He’s thrilling. He’s obtained a variety of expertise. The glove’s forward of the bat. So I assume it’d be a greater query to play with on the finish of the 2026 season. I’ll have extra data to play off of. He might play protection within the large leagues proper now, however he’s nonetheless creating on the hitting facet.
“Exciting, high-ceiling talent, but I don’t think he’s ready yet.”
Cashman’s analysis didn’t have to be stated aloud, as Lombard endured some rising pains at Double-A final season, hitting .215 with a .695 OPS, eight house runs, 36 RBI and 24 stolen bases over 108 video games. His strikeout charge additionally jumped to 26.4% after he was promoted to Somerset.
Nevertheless, Lombard is barely 20 years previous. The typical Double-A participant is 3.5 years older.
With that in thoughts, Lombard, who impressed at large league spring coaching final yr, will probably start the 2026 season again in Somerset. There, the 2023 first-round decide will attempt to get his bat in control along with his glove.
With a robust season, Lombard might push himself into the beginning shortstop dialog down the street, particularly if Volpe continues to underwhelm as soon as he’s wholesome. Nevertheless, Lombard isn’t the one highly-touted shortstop in New York’s farm system, as there’s additionally 2025 first-rounder Dax Kilby, amongst others.
For now — and barring an exterior addition — José Caballero is the likeliest candidate to begin at shortstop whereas Volpe heals.
Acquired from the Rays final season, the tremendous utilityman pushed Volpe for taking part in time and stuffed in for him after the incumbent’s shoulder required a cortisone shot. Caballero hit .266 with an .828 OPS, three house runs, 9 RBI and 15 stolen bases as a Yankee. General, he led the majors with 49 stolen bases, and his .339 on-base share, .686 OPS and 97 wRC+ had been all higher than Volpe’s marks (.272 OBP, .663 OPS, 83 wRC+).
If Caballero performs properly within the early going subsequent season, there can be requires him to supplant Volpe at shortstop.
Aaron Boone has described Caballero as a “10th man” and feels there’s strategic worth in utilizing the speedster off the bench, and the supervisor and Cashman have maintained religion that Volpe can turn into a constant contributor. Nevertheless, Cashman didn’t rule out the potential for Caballero commandeering the shortstop job whereas Volpe is on the shelf.
“Do I believe in Anthony Volpe? The answer is yes. Do I believe Caballero has got a lot of talent? The answer is yes,” Cashman stated earlier than including, “I don’t know the place issues can go. The sport separates all of it, the boys from the boys, and dictates who ought to and who shouldn’t be taking part in over the course of time.
“People continue to earn their playing time or they don’t. In some cases, if you don’t have alternatives, somebody stays in that lane continuing to play unless you import something else. But if it’s competition off the guys on the club, may the best man win and keep it.”
With Volpe out, Oswaldo Cabrera, one other versatile participant, might see time at shortstop as properly. On the Winter Conferences, Boone stated Cabrera was in Tampa and on the brink of intensify his coaching after his 2025 marketing campaign ended with a ugly ankle fracture in Might.
