George Lombard Jr. looked every bit as advertised in his first days as a Yankee, homering in his first game while making slick backhanded stops, unassisted double plays, and diving grabs that had fans wondering if the Yanks had finally found a staple at shortstop.
Suddenly, what many believed to be Lombard's undisputed strength is becoming a major concern.
The hyped prospect booted a seemingly routine ground ball late in Thursday's loss to the Astros, Lombard's sixth error in as many games. Lombard charged a slow grounder and bobbled the attempt, and the miscue eventually led to another insurance run for Houston.
The six errors in six games is the most by a Yankee playing a single position since second baseman Chick Fewster in 1921, according to Stathead's Katie Sharp. Sharp also added that Lombard is the first Yankee shortstop to commit six errors in six games since Roger Peckinpaugh in 1915.
"It's not acceptable," Lombard said after the game. "Can't happen at this level."
Aaron Boone did not entertain the idea of giving Lombard a day off to allow him a mental reset, continuing his belief that Lombard will ultimately be just fine. That may be the case in the long run, but in the here and now, his miscues are leading to costly runs, which are crippling given the Yankees' struggles to put up runs themselves for much of this season since Aaron Judge's injury.
Lombard is up to seven errors already in his short big-league career, closing in on his total of nine that he committed in the minors all year before he was promoted. That could signal a potential mental hurdle that needs to be cleared, especially given his defensive profile that led to his promotion. Regardless, it needs to be cleaned up as the Yankees prepare for a massive four-game series against the Red Sox this weekend.
The hyped prospect has now committed an error in six straight games.
The hyped prospect has now committed an error in six straight games.
