The future arrives in the Bronx as Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. goes deep in MLB debut

Big night Tuesday in the Lombard world.

George Lombard Jr. was in the Bronx, making his major-league debut as the new shortstop for the Yankees at the age of 21. At the same time, his younger brother, Jacob, the Marlins’ first-round pick in July, made his professional debut at short for the Low-A Jupiter Hammerheads in Florida.

“The family was planning on going to watch Jacob down in Jupiter,” Lombard said.

But Jacob knew where his parents needed to be.

“My brother was like, ‘No, no, no. You guys have got to go up there,’ ” Lombard said. “So plans kind of changed.”

The Yankees’ plan needed to change when Anthony Volpe didn’t take off as their shortstop during these last few years. Jose Caballero had played short more than Volpe this season. But the future arrived Monday night when Volpe was sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Lombard was summoned to take over the position.

So there he was in pinstripes, wearing his spring training No. 96, manning Derek Jeter’s old spot and batting eighth against the Cardinals at Yankee Stadium

This was a big night in the Yankees’ world, too.

And the kid sure looked destined for greatness. The Yankees can only hope. Lombard slugged a solo homer for his first major-league hit and made some nifty plays in the field. He finished 1-for-2 with a walk in the Yankees’ 2-0 win.

“Obviously,” manager Aaron Boone said, “a great, great first night for him.”

The homer was a great, great achievement for him, coming in just his second at-bat. He pulled Hunter Dobbins’ 0-and-2 sweeper in the fifth and sent it for a 392-foot ride into the leftfield seats.

“Excitement,” Lombard said of what he was feeling rounding the bases. “I’m still kind of processing. Yeah, it was really cool. And being a close game, it was a big run.

“Probably a moment, a swing, a day I won’t forget forever.”

His brother won’t forget this day, either. Jacob also homered for his first pro hit.

“I heard,” Lombard said. “That’s pretty awesome.”

George Jr. became the third-youngest player in franchise history to homer in his MLB debut. Between his work with a bat and a glove in the minors and his composed demeanor, he had seemed ready to handle the ultra-hot glare and try to make this transition.

“He’s checked a lot of boxes,” Boone said. “He’s put together an outstanding year. He’s continued to get better throughout the year.

“Felt like it was the time.”

Besides the homer, Lombard’s smooth defense stole the show. The 6-3, 205-pound infielder started two double plays and handled all five of his defensive chances flawlessly.

His best moment came in the second on his first chance. Lombard backhanded a ball hit toward the hole and quickly initiated a 6-4-3 double play.

“It was great, super athletic,” said Ryan Weathers, who went six innings to get the win. “I didn’t realize he was that long. His reach for that ball, it was a really far reach. He’s a really good player. Looking forward to continue watching him play.”

The 2023 first-round pick began this season with Double-A Somerset before earning a promotion to Triple-A on April 29. He received this ultimate call-up after returning from an injured list stint for two sprained fingers on his left hand and batting .377 across his last 14 games.

“It was always a goal,” Lombard said. “I didn’t really have a timeline set in my mind.”

Being in a major-league clubhouse is nothing new for Lombard. The Miami native grew up around the game. His dad played six major-league seasons as an outfielder. He has been a coach with the Dodgers and the Tigers. He’s currently Detroit’s bench coach.

“Being around it gives you like I guess that level of comfort, like, yeah, you’ve kind of had somewhat of the experience of what it would be like,” George Jr. said. “But definitely being in it and actually doing it is different. It becomes real for the first time.”

Boone said he has “power and strike zone discipline” and credited Lombard’s dad for “preparing him for a baseball life.”

Asked if his success on this night made him feel like he belonged in the majors, or if he already knew that, Lombard said the answer was “both.”

“I’m always playing as confident as I can,” he said. “But, yeah, realistically the more success you have at a certain level, the more the confidence will just keep continuing to build.”