Top New York Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. has plenty of fans in the team’s front office, including general manager Brian Cashman, who recently said the shortstop “might be a choice” in the majors this season.

A trio of opposing talent evaluators polled by The Athletic, and granted anonymity so they could speak candidly, viewed the 21-year-old as essentially untouchable. Each expects that if the Yankees put any prospects off limits heading into the Aug. 3 trade deadline, it will be Lombard, the No. 6 prospect in the game.

Go figure, as Lombard also has big supporters in the Yankees’ big-league clubhouse.

Several players who spent a lot of time with Lombard, either at Triple A or during spring training this year, came away impressed with various aspects of his game and personality.

“Got baseball in his blood,” left fielder Cody Bellinger said. “I saw it from a young age.”

“I think that he is one of the most athletic guys that I’ve ever seen and I’ve ever played with,” outfielder Jasson Domínguez said.

Lombard has steadily improved at Triple A, putting himself on the cusp of a call-up. He has hit .244 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and a .803 OPS in 44 games at the level since earning a promotion from Double-A Somerset in late April. He returned from the seven-day injured list Friday after spraining two fingers in his left hand trying to make a catch-and-tag on a steal attempt June 18. He’s been particularly good lately, hitting .333 in 16 games (57 at-bats) since the start of June.

Cashman said earlier this month that the 2023 first-round pick “definitely was thriving and conquering the final level” of the minors.

“I think he’s certainly close to pushing himself into the mix for sure,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I’ve loved his trajectory, his development and this year he’s continued to get better.”

In the majors, the Yankees have had trouble on the left side of the infield.

At shortstop, they have been alternating between Anthony Volpe and José Caballero, and neither has taken control of the job. Entering Monday, Yankees shortstops had combined for a 99 wRC+, which ranked 14th in the majors. They have also been inconsistent defensively, though they’ve graded out well via advanced stats.

At third base, the Yankees have mostly platooned Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario. McMahon has put up an ugly 85 wRC+ and been passable defensively, while Rosario has a 101 wRC+ but is considered a liability with the glove.

When the Yankees deem Lombard ready, he could be an option at either position. Cashman said that Lombard, who has a strong arm and good instincts, is “plug-and-play, ready to go” defensively at shortstop. He’s also gotten some work at third base (11 games).

A call-up wouldn’t surprise catcher Ali Sánchez, who played with Lombard at Triple A.

“Really great work ethic,” Sánchez said. “A young guy with so much talent. That’s the best way to describe him.”

Sánchez, 29, described Lombard as “a great example of being a young man.”

“He showed leadership by getting to the stadium, taking care of what he needs to take care of, with the way he treats people,” the catcher said. “Just his leadership mentality.”

Sánchez, a native of Venezuela, also thought it was key that Lombard speaks fluent Spanish. Growing up in Miami, Lombard learned Spanish from his mother, Judy, who was born to Cuban parents.

“Every single team has a Spanish translator,” Sánchez said, “but coming from you, I think it shows a little bit that you care. You don’t have to speak Spanish to be a leader, but if you do, there are people who are going to feel comfortable just to talk with you.”

“Really great work ethic,” Ali Sánchez said of George Lombard Jr. “A young guy with so much talent. That’s the best way to describe him.” (Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images)

Utilityman Max Schuemann spent a lot of time working out with Lombard during spring training. The pair would often enter games together when the starters’ days were done.

Schuemann remembered hearing how young Lombard was and doing a double-take.

“Kind of had to ask him again,” Schuemann said. “He seemed older than he was.”

Lombard’s father, George, played parts of eight seasons in the majors as an outfielder. He’s been the Detroit Tigers’ bench coach since November 2020. Before that, he was a coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I think that (his maturity) just comes from his dad,” Schuemann said. “He probably understands how it works. Having that experience in your family was huge. I just feel like overall, he’s very motivated. He went about his business every day. He was willing to learn. Not only was he working really hard, but he also asked questions or he would be open-minded. Just very impressed. Extremely toolsy and very gifted. But to have that mindset at such a young age is so beneficial.”

Schuemann recalled the sprint workouts in the early days of spring training.

“He was just dusting everybody,” the utilityman said. “He’s very, very fast, and you could tell that every little detail mattered.

“I feel like he could be ready. The mentality is definitely there. He wants to be a big leaguer, and I think he has every ability in the world to do it.”

Bellinger still remembers Lombard running around the Dodgers’ clubhouse years ago. The players have reconnected over the past two spring trainings, and Bellinger has kept an eye on him.

“I see his stuff pop up on social media,” he said. “Seems like he’s doing pretty well.”

Domínguez grew close to Lombard during spring training and at Triple A this year.

“He’s young,” the 23-year-old outfielder said. “But his mentality, his work ethic and how he goes about things, how he carries himself is incredible. I think he’s really good.”

Domínguez said sometimes he would stand in the outfield in awe while Lombard took grounders. He called him a “future Gold Glover, for sure.”

But the best part? For Domínguez, it was Lombard’s competitiveness. Lombard was often loud in the dugout, trying to amp up his teammates or instill confidence in them.

It was a trait that Lombard carried off the field, too.

“I would see it all the time playing on the field or if it was playing ping-pong,” Domínguez said. “He’s just like that. He likes to win. He wants to win.”

And if Lombard gets a chance to bring that competitiveness to the Bronx in the near future, none of his recent teammates will be surprised.

“He’s definitely got that leadership in him,” Domínguez said. “He’s young, but his foundation under him and how he carries himself is incredible.”