School: Gulliver Prep; Class: Senior
Position: SS; B/T: R/R
Height: 6-3; Weight: 190
Previously Drafted: N/A
College Commitment: Vanderbilt University
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 45/50 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Background: The Braves’ 1994 draft class is rather uninspiring. Only five of their 58 picks would make the major leagues, the most valuable – per Baseball Reference’s WAR – is the immortal Ron Wright, who tallied -0.1 wins above replacement. Their first two picks, Jacob Shumate and Corey Pointer, never made it out of Double-A, the minors’ most notorious proving ground. But their third pick, George Lombard, looked like a potential cornerstone player, someone who could help extend their dynastic window.
A four-year member of Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect List, including as high as #26 overall in 1999, Lombard flashed five-tool potential as he mashed .308/.410/.543 with 22 homeruns and 35 stolen bases as a 22-year-old in the old Southern League (AA). Unfortunately, though, the former second round pick could never quite figure it out at the big league level, hitting just .220/.281/.340 in 144 career games (across six seasons and four organizations).
His son, George Lombard Jr., hopes to (A) best his dad’s draft status and (B) develop into a star at the game’s pinnacle level.
A product of Gulliver Prep High School, Lombard Jr., who’s committed to Vanderbilt University, began opening eyes as a sophomore in 2021 when he batted .367/.441/.600. He would promptly follow that up with an impressive .360/.504/.779 slash line. And Lombard raised the bar even further during his final prep season: he mashed .478/.583/.855 with 14 doubles, one triple, and six homeruns.
Scouting Report: Simple easy swing. Lombard has the mechanics of hitting down pat. But he seems to lack the strength to consistently drive the ball, especially on inside offerings. There’s plenty of room to add bulk on his wiry 6-foot-3 frame. He profiles as solid defender at shortstop, lacking any glaring holes rather dazzling with the leather.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: Second Round
