A major storyline ahead of Friday’s game centers on rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr., who has faced defensive struggles, committing six errors over his last six outings. Despite the bumps, the Yankees aren’t shying away from giving Lombard Jr. another start at shortstop on Friday.
In addition to the defensive shift, manager Aaron Boone has adjusted the batting order. Lombard Jr. will drop from the No. 5 spot to No. 6, as Heliot Ramos and veteran Paul Goldschmidt return to the lineup and bat ahead of Lombard Jr.
Here is the Yankees’ lineup for Friday’s game:
– P. Goldschmidt at 1B
– B. Rice as DH
– C. Bellinger in LF
– H. Ramos in RF
– T. Grisham in CF
– G. Lombard Jr. at SS
– J. Chisholm Jr. at 2B
– J. Caballero at 3B
– A. Wells catching
– C. Schlittler (SP)
Rundown on Lombard Jr.’s rookie season:
– After being called up on August 4 as the organization’s top prospect, Lombard Jr. has been productive at the plate and in the field.
– He recorded eight defensive runs saved through his first 11 games, placing him among the top shortstops in the league in that statistic despite a relatively small sample.
– Offensively, the 21-year-old is batting .264 with 72 at-bats across 20 games, having collected 19 hits, two home runs, and six RBIs.
This season has showcased Lombard Jr.’s high ceiling while also presenting moments of inconsistency typical for a young player making his mark at the plate and in the field. The Friday matchup against the Red Sox promises to be a test of his continued development as the Yankees push for a strong finish to the season.
