How George Lombard Jr.'s MLB promotion has affected Yankees' farm system originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Since shortstop George Lombard Jr.'s promotion to Major League Baseball, he has ignited a spark with the New York Yankees.
Lombard's strong defense and timely hitting have helped the Yankees remain within striking distance of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. But it'll take a strong final few months of the regular season to catch up to the Rays.
Lombard is the Yankees' No. 1 prospect, but MLB.com recently ranked New York's farm system 27th out of 30 in baseball.
"Lombard has provided a spark in New York since getting called up two weeks ago, but continual trading to bolster the big league club has thinned out the system, especially in terms of hitting talent," MLB.com's Sam Dykstra, Jim Callis, and Jonathan Mayo wrote Sunday.
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Once Lombard loses prospect status, the Yankees could fall a spot or two in the farm system rankings. Their only other prospect on MLB Pipeline's top 100 list is shortstop Dax Kilby.
"Hamstring injuries have waylaid Kilby in his first full pro season, and the dropoff after him is huge," Dykstra, Callis, and Mayo wrote. "The Yankees continue to excel in polishing pitching prospects, though Elmer Rodriguez hasn't been able to break through in the Majors, and fellow righty Carlos Lagrange is sidelined with shoulder issues."
The teams ranked below the Yankees in MLB.com's top 30 standings are the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and San Diego Padres.
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