Aaron Boone refuses to panic over George Lombard Jr.’s rough September. The manager sees the 21-year-old’s struggles as a normal part of growing up in the big leagues, even as the Yankees bench him for Sunday’s game. While fans see the hits drying up, Boone sees a young player fighting through the noise of a tough league.
The Numbers Behind the Slump
The stats are stark and hard to ignore. Lombard Jr. has gone hitless in his last three games, leaving him at 3-for-27 for the month. He struck out once and walked once in Saturday’s loss, a pattern that has seen him go 4-for-34 with 11 strikeouts since August 28.
Yet, this isn’t a rookie who hasn’t tasted success. He homered in his debut on August 4 and crushed a grand slam against the Rockies just days ago. Now he sits on the bench while Austin Wells catches all three games, a move driven by the lack of a viable second catcher option. Instead of facing the Mets in a crucial match like this, the squad is giving him a break, yet the slump persists.
Boone’s Take on the Struggle
Boone isn’t looking for excuses, but he isn’t worried either. He noted that Lombard is not chasing bad pitches, which is a good sign for a young hitter. “With Lombard, I think he’s 3-for-27 this month. What have you seen in his at-bats?” a reporter asked Boone during his press conference heavy.com that it is undeniably difficult for a rookie thrust into such a situation.
The manager believes the issue is about making contact on hittable pitches. He pointed out that Lombard fouls off balls he should be putting in play. “It’s a constant game of adjustments.” As Lombard explained, pitchers discover methods to retire you while you attempt to solve the reverse. The rookie admits he missed a few of his pitches and is working hard to fix his swing every single day.
Resting a Rookie Is the Right Call
Some fans might want to see him play through the slump, but the decision to sit him makes sense. Giving a young player a day off is crucial for their development. “Nice to see Lombard getting a day off. Important for young players, something Volpe didn’t get the luxury of his first year,” one observer noted.
The Yankees have a long season ahead, and protecting a 21-year-old from burnout is smart management. Across 31 games, Lombard has recorded 23 hits, three home runs, and 11 RBIs while batting .217. He has shown he can hit for power, but he needs to learn to handle the pressure of the big leagues. Boone’s patience will pay off if the kid can find his groove again.
The team faces a tough stretch, but Lombard’s time off gives him a chance to reset. He has the talent, as shown by his grand slam a few days ago, and now he just needs to find his rhythm. “I probably have missed a couple of my pitches.” Lombard stated New York Post that making those minor adjustments daily to get his swing going as much as possible is his routine. The Yankees will need him to bounce back soon.
