- Welcome To OTIA Sports!
The hype surrounding New York Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. continues to grow, and the sports card market is taking notice. The 19-year-old shortstop has impressed scouts, collectors, and now, even Yankees superstar Aaron Judge. With high expectations for Lombard Jr.'s future, his card values have been surging, and recent sales suggest investors are betting big on his potential.
When a franchise icon like Aaron Judge gives a young player his endorsement, people take notice. In a recent interview, the Yankees captain spoke highly of Lombard Jr., saying:
"He’s a great kid. He’s a hard worker who goes and does his thing. He doesn’t say much. He shows up and does what he needs to do. And the power he’s already showing, he’s gonna be something special.”
That kind of praise is exactly what fuels prospect mania in the hobby. When a player is on track to debut for one of baseball’s most storied franchises, their card values naturally surge.
Currently ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Yankees system, trailing only Jasson Dominguez, Lombard Jr. has showcased elite athleticism and a high baseball IQ, tools that make him a strong long-term investment.
MLB.com’s scouting grades for Lombard Jr.:
According to MLB Pipeline, Lombard Jr. is not yet listed among baseball’s Top 100 Prospects, but scouts see significant upside in his game. His smooth right-handed swing, advanced pitch recognition, and ability to spray the ball to all fields make him a player to watch.
He has also had an impressive Spring Training, slashing .333/.412/1.145 with two home runs and four RBIs in just 15 at-bats. If he continues to perform at this level, a fast-track to the Bronx may not be far off.
Collectors have been aggressively buying Lombard Jr.’s first Bowman cards, and prices have skyrocketed in just a matter of months.
According to Card Ladder, since March 2, there have already been three four-figure sales of Lombard Jr.’s 2024 Bowman Chrome 1st cards:
The surge in demand is undeniable. A Card Ladder search over the last two weeks shows 1,950 Lombard Jr. card sales across all price points. More than 200 Bowman cards have sold for $100 or more, compared to just 100 sales from the start of the year to mid-February.
While it’s clear Lombard Jr. is trending upward, the question remains: how high can his cards go?
On eBay, sellers are already pushing the limits of Lombard Jr. Mania. At the time of writing, a 2024 Bowman Chrome Auto /5 is listed for a staggering $8,999—a bold test of the market’s appetite.
As long as Lombard Jr. continues to develop and deliver on his potential, his cards will remain one of the hottest commodities in the hobby. With Aaron Judge’s approval, Spring Training momentum, and the allure of playing for the Yankees, collectors and investors alike are keeping a close eye on what could be a future star in the making.
