JUPITER — Miami Marlins first-round pick Jacob Lombard took a 96.6 mph sinker off his left forearm in the second inning Saturday, then answered one inning later by launching a 96 mph fastball over the right-field fence at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, powering the Jupiter Hammerheads to a 3-1 win over the St. Lucie Mets.
The 6-foot-3 shortstop, ranked as the Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and MLB’s No. 67 overall prospect, was involved in all three of Jupiter’s runs. After the hit-by-pitch in the second inning — which required a trainer visit — Lombard took his base and came around to score the game’s first run. In the third inning, a pitch inside nearly grazed him again before being ruled a foul ball. Lombard stayed in the at-bat and drove the next fastball beyond the right-field fence into the bullpen.
The home run was the second of Lombard’s professional career, which is just nine games old. His first came during one of the more memorable pro debuts in recent memory — he launched a homer the same day his brother George Jr. made his MLB debut for the Yankees, hitting a home run of his own.
Lombard is still adjusting to professional pitching, striking out in 14 of his first 32 at-bats. But the tools that made him a first-round selection are showing up elsewhere: he has flashed a 65-grade run tool with five stolen bases and has driven in seven RBIs across his brief stint with the Hammerheads.
Saturday’s win also fell on the birthday of Hammy, the Hammerheads’ mascot. Jupiter continues its series against St. Lucie at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.