It has been many years since the New York Yankees last had the privilege of winning a World Series. That’s why returning to the sport’s biggest stage is a top priority for Aaron Boone and his team, who are banking—among other things—on a resurgence from Anthony Volpe to help make it happen.
The biggest question looming over the Yankees’ coaching staff is how their shortstop will look upon returning from his latest injury. Volpe is expected to miss the first few weeks of the upcoming season as he recovers from a partially torn labrum in his throwing arm, leading many to speculate about a potential long-term replacement at the position.
According to the latest report from Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media, the player emerging as the leading candidate to take on a larger role is the Yankees‘ top infield prospect, George Lombard Jr. The 20-year-old is coming off an impressive 2025 season split between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset.
“He’s come a long way,” General Manager Brian Cashman said at the Winter Meetings. “He’s exciting. He’s got a lot of talent. The glove’s ahead of the bat. So I guess it’d be a better question to play with at the end of the 2026 season. I’ll have more information to play off of. He could play defense in the big leagues right now, but he’s still developing on the hitting side.”
George Lombard Jr. #21 of the New York Yankees.
For now, Jose Caballero is expected to handle the position at the start of the season, a player Cashman believes will do a solid job: “Do I believe in Anthony Volpe? The answer is yes. Do I believe Caballero has got a lot of talent? The answer is yes. I have no idea where things can go. The game separates it all, the men from the boys, and dictates who should and who shouldn’t be playing over the course of time.”
Volpe’s latest numbers with the Yankees
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Anthony Volpe’s 2025 season was a significant disappointment for the New York Yankees, as his offensive production cratered to a dismal .212/.272/.391 slash line across 153 games. Although he managed 19 home runs and 72 RBIs, his plate discipline stagnated with a high 25.2% strikeout rate and a mere 18 stolen bases, a career low.
Defensively, the situation was equally concerning; despite logging over 1,300 innings at shortstop, he recorded a troubling -7 Outs Above Average and committed 19 errors, among the most in the league. These regressive numbers across the board have fueled serious doubts about whether Volpe truly remains the franchise cornerstone the Yankees envisioned.
Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees.
Lombard Jr.’s stats that fuel hope for the future
George Lombard Jr. has emerged as a beacon of hope for the Yankees’ future. In 132 games, the 20-year-old shortstop posted a .235/.367/.381 slash line, highlighted by nine home runs, 49 RBIs, and an impressive 35 stolen bases.
While he faced a learning curve against advanced pitching in Double-A, his raw tools remain undeniable. Standing 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Lombard possesses a projectable frame that scouts believe will develop significant power as he matures, making him a potential long-term solution in the middle of the Yankees’ infield.
