​Born in the baseball-rich environment of Miami, Jacob Lombard has carried a lifelong passion for the game. His father, George Lombard Sr., spent eight seasons in the majors and has been coaching professionally since 2010, currently serving as the Detroit Tigers’ bench coach. His older brother, George Lombard Jr., is in the New York Yankees organization with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after being selected by the Yankees in the first round in 2023. Gulliver Prep shortstop Jacob Lombard is projected to be picked in the early rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft, and it turned out his path would keep him close to home for a while longer.
Saturday marked a historic moment for Lombard and his family as he was selected by the Miami Marlins with the No. 14 overall pick during All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia. His slot value for the No. 14 pick is set at $5.4 million. This piece traces Lombard’s journey from South Miami to the heart of Little Havana, spotlighting a high school star who embodies both talent and hometown pride.
Lombard’s anticipated early selection in the 2026 MLB Draft places him among a select group of Miami-Dade County players who have reached the first round this century. In fact, Lombard’s selection at No. 14 would mark him as the highest Dolphin City or 305-area pick since Manny Machado went third overall to the Baltimore Orioles in 2010. He joins a lineage of notable prep first-rounders from the region, including his brother George (2023), Sal Stewart from Westminster Christian (2022), Albert Almora Jr. from Mater Academy Charter (2012), Manny Machado (2010), Luiz Montanez from Coral Park (2000), and Gulliver Prep’s David Espinosa (2000). Each of these players helped put Miami on the map as a pipeline for elite prep talent.
Clubs prize Lombard for more than just his batting statistics. His 6-foot-3 frame provides a notable physical advantage at the shortstop position, where range and versatility are highly valued. Scouts are drawn not only to how quickly he can move across the field but also to how efficiently he covers ground from home to first—the kind of athleticism that projects well at the professional level. Yet it is Lombard’s bat that truly excites evaluators. This season with the Raiders, he hit .477, belted 10 home runs, drove in 25 runs, scored 52 times, collected four doubles, and stole 14 bases, statistics that underscore his all-around offensive arsenal.
Beyond baseball, Lombard was a standout athlete in soccer, a sport in which he thrived as part of Gulliver Prep’s successful program. Over three varsity seasons on the pitch, he helped the Raiders compile a record of 60-7-5 and win back-to-back state championships, demonstrating leadership and athletic versatility that complements his performance on the diamond.
As Lombard’s profile rose, so did the recognition that his journey embodies: a Miami kid who developed into a top prospect while staying connected to the community that raised him. For more updates on Lombard and other high school stars, follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or reach him via email at amartin@usatodayco.com. For ongoing coverage of high school sports, you can follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X. This feature originally appeared on USA TODAY, highlighting Lombard’s decision to stay in Miami and his trajectory toward the 14th pick in the MLB Draft with the Marlins.