Wednesday was certainly eventful for the Yankees' Double-A affiliate. Giancarlo Stanton and Marcus Stroman made rehab appearances in the doubleheader opener. And the organization's No. 1 and 2 prospects launched back-to-back homers in the nightcap.
Batting atop lineup in Game 2, George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones hit consecutive dingers in the third inning Somerset’s 9-2 win over Portland to split the day with the rival Red Sox affiliate at TD Bank Ballpark.
Down 2-0 in the third, Lombard Jr. drove a breaking ball from right-hander Jorge Juan over the left-field wall for his first Double-A homer -- and the ball will be making its way to a familiar place.
“It’ll get home for sure,” the Yankees' top prospect told MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra after getting the home run ball, which he plans to give to his mom. “I felt like I had good at-bats during the day. Was really trying to get a pitch to hit, put a good swing on it and he left me one up.”
Moments later, Jones followed with his 11th home run of the season -- also off a Juan breaking ball.
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“It’s awesome,” Lombard said of going back-to-back with New York's No. 2 prospect. “He’s pretty fun to watch. He can do some crazy things on a baseball field. It’s a lot of fun getting to hit in front of him and getting to be on base for when he hits doubles in the gap and I can run. It was really cool.”
Both players finished the night with two RBIs apiece. Jones, who matched his season high with three hits, also added a double.
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Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ first-round pick in 2023, began the season with High-A Hudson Valley and was promoted to Somerset on May 5. While MLB's No. 41 overall prospect has adjusted to Double-A pitching (.664 OPS through his first 111 at-bats), his approach and patience have quietly stood out -- he has posted a .358 OBP and a 16.8 percent walk rate (23 walks in 137 plate appearances).
Beyond his on-field development, the 20-year-old has benefited from time in the Yankees’ Major League clubhouse environment in Spring Training -- particularly alongside Stanton, who has been with the Patriots this week on a rehab assignment for an elbow injury.
“He’s one of the best leaders, best clubhouse guys I’ve ever been around,” Lombard Jr. said. “Just his presence and talking to him, asking him questions. He’s always great, he always has great insights. He’s just great to be around, a lot of fun to watch on the field. It’s been great playing with him the past two days.”
For Jones, the offensive improvements this season have been evident. After adjusting his mechanics -- incorporating a more crouched approach and a modified pre-pitch leg lift -- the club's 2022 first-round pick has improved his plate discipline.
Despite missing time with an intercostal injury in early May, the Vanderbilt product has posted an .893 OPS, and his 24 walks and 56 strikeouts (130 at-bats) are drastically different from last season’s 54/200 ratio (482 at-bats). Of his 30 hits this year, 18 have gone for extra bases -- 11 homers and seven doubles. Jones has also been patrolling center field regularly, showing strong athleticism and range.
In Game 1 of the doubleheader, Stanton -- the five-time All-Star -- collected the third hit of his rehab assignment, a double that plated Lombard Jr. Two-time All-Star Stroman allowed a run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over 3 1/3 innings in the start for Somerset.
“I feel like we’ve had a bunch of rehab guys since I’ve been here and it’s been a lot of fun to play behind all of them,” Lombard Jr. said. “It’s always fun to watch those guys when they come in and a lot of fun to play behind them.”
It was The Show Before the Show Night at the ballpark with MiLB.com's podcast crew in both attendance and the spotlight.