Before the rosters are named, before the jerseys are handed out, and before the first pitch is thrown in Japan, the proving ground is here—beneath the scorching sun of Cary, North Carolina.

At USA Baseball’s 18U National Team Training Camp, the competition is ruthless. Eighty-eight of the nation’s top high school players arrive with one goal in mind: to earn a place on the most prestigious amateur roster in the country.

For Jacob Lombard, the moment isn’t just about making a team. It’s about making a statement.

He’s been here before.

Last summer, he was the underclassman—quiet, wide-eyed, soaking in the moment. This time, he’s back with a different mindset, a deeper edge, and something to prove.

Backed by a last name that commands attention in baseball circles and a rare résumé that includes Division I talent in two sports, Lombard isn’t just returning to camp—he’s returning with purpose.

This summer isn’t about his father’s legacy.

It isn’t about his brother’s draft status.

It’s about his path, his decisions, and his shot at wearing red, white, and blue—not because of the name on the back of the jersey, but because of the work he’s put in to earn the one on the front.

“Last year I was one of the few that got called up to get the experience and do the camp, and I had a lot of fun. Now, coming back this year with my class, to have the same experience and just doing it for the second time. I'm a little more comfortable and it’s a blast out here, it's a grind.”

When Lombard steps into the batter’s box, coaches and scouts don’t just see a talented infielder with fluid actions and high-level instincts—they see a last name that carries weight in baseball circles.

His father, George Paul Lombard Sr., is currently the bench coach for the Detroit Tigers.

Before coaching, he spent parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues as an outfielder.

Then there’s his brother, George Lombard Jr., a rising star in the Yankees organization.

Drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, George Jr. is now one of the Yankees’ top prospects, currently competing at the Double-A level with the Somerset Patriots.

“It's always gonna be something to strive for, to look at what they're doing. It’s something to dream for every single day, every time my brother wakes up every day and does something that I've dreamed of doing for a while now, it definitely pushes me and motivates me to keep going, to follow his footsteps with my dad as well.”

That path, as it turns out, involves more than just baseball.

Unlike most baseball prospects who specialize early and train year-round, Lombard is choosing a route few dare to travel: playing both baseball and soccer.

“Soccer was my mom’s first sport, and my dad played a little when he was younger. It was my first sport too, so I’ve always had a love for soccer since the beginning. Then, once I saw my brother getting recruited for baseball and doing things like that, it pushed me to lean more toward baseball,” Lombard explained. “But I always loved soccer even more than baseball from the start. As I transitioned to baseball, with a little influence from my brother and dad, it helped me become a better athlete because I was already a good soccer player. That made the transition easier since I was already athletic.”

Lombard also did gymnastics for two years when he was younger, following his mother’s influence. He played a variety of sports, including football, and all of that helped him become a better athlete, making the switch to baseball much easier.

In high school at Gulliver Prep in Miami, Lombard and his brother starred together on the soccer field as well as the diamond.

They won a state championship in soccer and came heartbreakingly close in baseball—falling in the state semifinals.

“He played soccer with me during my freshman year. We played both sports side by side—baseball and soccer—together on the field. We made it to the state semifinals in both soccer and baseball, but unfortunately lost,” Lombard recalled. “We almost had a ring in both, which would have been pretty awesome. Regardless, it was a really cool experience.”

His performance in soccer was more than just impressive—it was dominant. After George graduated, Lombard led Gulliver to its best season in school history, earning a No. 1 national ranking in the process.

While balancing two sports comes with challenges—less rest, fewer off-seasons, constant transitions between schedules—Lombard believes his versatility has helped him become a better baseball player.

“Here in North Carolina, at this Training Camp where it gets up to 105 degrees, I can see myself lasting a little longer than some of the guys out there. Soccer definitely helps with stamina, footwork, and field awareness. People don’t really realize it until they see soccer players on the baseball field.”

Those small differences—better reaction time, faster reads, more fluid body control—can be the edge Lombard needs to stand out at a place like Training Camp, where every detail is scrutinized.

Lombard was one of the cuts from last year’s 18U National Team. This summer, he’s come back with a clear goal: make the roster and represent Team USA in Japan.

Making the 18U National Team would also be a unique milestone within the Lombard household. Despite all of George Jr.’s accomplishments, he never played for Team USA at the 18U level.

“Making the 18U National Team would be really cool. It’s something my brother never got the chance to do, and it’s been a goal of mine for a long time. Last year, I was just this close to making the team,” he says, holding his fingers barely apart. “Now, I’m doing everything I can to earn that spot and get that experience.”

Whether it’s turning a double play in front of scouts, threading a pass on the soccer pitch, or pushing through the brutal North Carolina heat at Training Camp, Lombard is proving that legacy isn’t something you inherit—it’s something you earn.

And whether his future leads to college stadiums, pro dugouts, or a Team USA uniform in Japan, one thing is clear: Lombard’s story won’t be one of comparison—it’ll be one of conviction. One step, one sport, and one opportunity at a time.