Baseball scouts love bloodlines, and for good reason. Growing up around the game often provides a head start that can’t be taught, as Bobby Witt Jr. has demonstrated. Jacob Lombard is one of the top prospects for the MLB draft to be held on July 11 during All-Star Week, and he comes from one of baseball’s most accomplished families. He is the son of former major leaguer and current Tigers bench coach George Lombard and the younger brother of Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr., but many evaluators believe the younger Lombard possesses even greater upside.
Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep High School (FL)
Standing 6’3” with an outstanding blend of athleticism, speed, and power, Lombard has long been one of the most closely watched players in the 2026 draft class, earning attention on the showcase circuit since his early teens. Scouts consistently praise not only his physical gifts but also the polished instincts and baseball IQ that come from growing up around the game.
Lombard’s ceiling is driven by one of the loudest toolsets in the draft. Keith Law of The Athletic describes him as possessing “some of the best pure tools in the draft class,” highlighting his 70-grade speed, plus raw power, and the athleticism to remain at shortstop long term. Baseball America similarly notes that his profile is “littered with 60s,” calling him one of the best defensive shortstops in the class with graceful actions, excellent footwork, and the ability to become a plus defender. MLB Pipeline echoes those assessments, praising his outstanding range, hands, instincts, and speed while projecting him to stick at shortstop for years. All three outlets agree that if everything comes together offensively, Lombard has legitimate superstar potential.
The biggest question is whether his bat will fully develop to match his exceptional physical tools. While evaluators praise his quick bat speed, low-maintenance swing, and advanced approach, each publication also points to swing-and-miss concerns. Law notes that Lombard struck out on 39 percent of his swings during tracked showcase events in 2025, struggling particularly against sliders and premium velocity. Baseball America identifies his bat-to-ball skills as the biggest question in his profile despite solid pitch recognition, while MLB Pipeline notes he occasionally struggled with elevated fastballs. They also write he is a “people-pleaser”, which may make him more coachable, but they suggest he may have been guilty of making too many mechanical adjustments while trying to incorporate advice from various instructors on the showcase circuit.
If Lombard proves he can make enough consistent contact against elite pitching, there are few players in the class who can match his overall upside. His combination of size, speed, defensive ability, power potential, and baseball instincts has made him a consensus top-ten talent, with some evaluators believing he has the tools worthy of consideration near the very top of the draft. The risk is centered almost entirely on the hit tool, but the reward is a true five-tool shortstop capable of impacting the game in every facet.
Keith Law had a mock draft with the Royals taking Lombard at #6, writing that the Royals were “heaviest” on Lombard and Booth. Kiley McDaniel at ESPN writes that the Royals prefer Lombard over prep outfielder Eric Booth Jr. and pitcher Gio Rojas.
The Royals need more offense, regardless of position. By the time Lombard is ready for the big leagues, Bobby Witt Jr. will be able to opt out of his current contract – and even if the Royals bring him back, Lombard has the athleticism to move to another position. He is the kind of toolsy coachable kid the Royals tend to love, but the questions about his contact skills should give fans a bit of pause. The upside is high with Lombard, but the organization’s track record on developing good plate discipline is spotty, at best.
On the other hand, the last time the Royals selected a toolsy shortstop whose dad played in the big leagues, it worked out just great. But can Lombard be a generational player like Bobby Witt Jr. or another prep star that struggled to hit professional sliders?
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.royalsreview.com ’
