Sports
New York Yankees Prospect George Lombard Jr. Makes Massive Leap in Updated Rankings


The New York Yankees appear to have a new crown jewel in their farm system.
MLB Pipeline revealed its updated top 100 rankings on Sunday, accounting for all the rookies who have graduated from prospect status. The minor league season is in full swing as well, so there have been plenty of chances for players to showcase their skills at every level.
Shortstop George Lombard Jr. was the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect at the start of 2025, but rose to No. 1 once outfielder Jasson Domínguez graduated. He also cracked the top 100 for the first time after showing out in spring training, although he was still seen as a fringe member of the list entering the regular season.
Lombard climbed all the way from No. 93 to No. 44 on Sunday, cementing his status as the top prospect in New York’s farm system. The organization’s No. 2 prospect, outfielder Spencer Jones, is not in the top 100.
The 49-spot jump that Lombard made was larger than any other prospect in baseball.
In 24 games with High-A Hudson Valley, Lombard hit .329 with one home run, one triple, eight doubles, 13 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and a .983 OPS. He is batting .191 with a .511 OPS since getting promoted to Double-A Somerset, but his stint with the Patriots is still just six games young.
The Yankees selected Lombard in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He also spends some time at second base, which could give him a cleaner path to the big leagues with Anthony Volpe firmly entrenched at shortstop.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. won’t have much competition for the starting second base job anytime soon, but he is only under team control through 2026. Lombard, 19, is expected to break into the big leagues in 2027.
Considering how quickly he is rising through the ranks, perhaps Lombard could don pinstripes sooner rather than later, although he will have to prove himself in Double-A before earning any more call-ups.
Continue to follow our Minor League Baseball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook.
You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.
Sports
Ohio Volleyball Places Seven Athletes on 2025 Academic All-MAC Team
CLEVELAND – The Ohio volleyball team placed seven athletes on the 2025 Volleyball All-Mid-American Conference Team, as announced by the league on Monday, Dec. 15.
Eastern Michigan, Miami, and Western Michigan led the league with eight student-athletes honored. Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, and Ohio followed behind with seven honorees each.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests in that sport.
2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
Caroline Curran, Junior, Engineering Tech & MGMT (3.852)
Sierra Evans, Sophomore, Journalism News and Info. (3.457)
Olivia Gardner, Junior, Exercise Physiology (3.660)
Lexi Grissett, Sophomore, Marketing (4.000)
Kendall Hickey, Junior, Communication Studies (3.396)
Bryn Janke, Sophomore, Accounting & Finance (3.895)
Darbi Ricketts, Sophomore, Exercise Physiology – Strength & Conditioning (3.384)
#OUohyeah
Sports
Owls Dominate Cross Country Regional Honors
NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Southern Connecticut State Univeristy cross country teams dominated the East Region year-end awards, selected by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The Northeast 10 champions, Jonathan Volpe and Courtney Henchcliffe, each were named region Athletes of the Year. Both also won the East Region and advanced with their teams to the NCAA Championships.
Coaches John Wallin and Melissa Stoll were each named East Region Coach of the Year. Brian Nill is the SCSU lead assistant for cross country.
The Owls dominated this fall, with the men becoming the first program in NE10 history to claim four consecutive NE10 championships. The women repeated as conference champs for the second time in three seasons, winning the school’s first title in 2023. Volpe’s individual crown was his second league title.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.
Sports
Five Golden Flashes Named to Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
CLEVELAND — The Kent State volleyball program had five student-athletes earn Academic All-MAC honors, as the Mid-American Conference recognized a total of 78 student-athletes for their accomplishments this past season.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests that season.
FOLLOW KENT STATE VOLLEYBALL
For complete coverage of Kent State Volleyball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.
2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team (Kent State honorees)
Greta Bolognini, Senior, Business Management
Hailey Brenner, Sophomore, Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Lesley Furuta, Sophomore, General Business
Mackenzie McGuire, Senior, Exercise Science
Nadia Miller, Sophomore, Exercise Science
Sports
Track & Field 2026 Home Meet Tickets on Sale Now

General admission and expanded seating options, including a new premium section located near the finish line to provide an upgraded view of the action, will be available for all six home meets.
Fans have two ticket options for each meet. Daily tickets are priced at $15 for non-premium general admission. Those wanting to be closer to the action can purchase premium seating for $25, located near the finish line with chairbacks included.
Group tickets will also be
available to purchase. For more information, please call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-462-6647 or via email at tickets@central.uh.edu.2026 HOME REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Jan. 10: Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational
Jan. 30-31: Robert Platt Invitational
Feb. 13: Howie Ryan Invitational
March 19: Kirk Baptiste Invitational
April 17-18: Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational
April 29: Cameron Burrell Invitational
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and by joining the Podium Club, which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team’s Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
– UHCougars.com –
Sports
Men’s Volleyball Picked Sixth In MIVA Preseason Poll
The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association has announced the 2026 preseason poll this morning with Lindenwood coming in at number six with 33 votes. The Lions were picked to finish ahead of Purdue Fort Wayne (24 votes), Northern Kentucky (19 votes), and Queens (16 votes).
Loyola Chicago was picked to win the conference as they received 73 votes (five first place votes) and right behind them is Ohio State with 68 votes (two first place votes). Rounding out the top five was Ball State (63 votes), Lewis (57 votes), and McKendree (52 votes). There were 12 players named to the 2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team with Patrick Rogers from Ball State being named the 2026 Preseason MIVA Player of the Year.
Lindenwood opens the season on January 9th at Long Beach State at 9 p.m. CT and MIVA play will start on February 4 at 7 p.m. in Hyland Arena against Loyola Chicago.
2026 Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago – 73 (5)
2. Ohio State – 68 (2)
3. Ball State – 63 (1)
4. Lewis – 57 (1)
5. McKendree – 52
6. Lindenwood – 33
7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 24
8. Northern Kentucky – 19
9. Queens – 16
2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team)
Lucas Machado – Ball State
*Patrick Rogers – Ball State
Oguzhan Oguz – Lewis
Nico Paula – Lewis
Ryan McElligott – Loyola Chicago
Daniel Fabikovic – Loyola Chicago
Aleksander Sosa – Loyola Chicago
Yadiel Diaz – McKendree
Nate Flayter – McKendree
Stanislaw Chacinski – Ohio State
Shane Wetzel – Ohio State
Logan Muir – Purdue Fort Wayne
*Preseason Player of the Year
Sports
Logan Muir Selected to Preseason All-MIVA Team
Muir was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team following last season.
The Junior led the Mastodons in points (464.5), kills (391) and service aces (41) last year. He was second in the MIVA in kills per set (4.39), aces per set (0.41) and points per set (5.19) during conference play. Muir’s 5.09 points per set ranked fifth in the nation. The California native also was 10th in the MIVA in hitting percentage with .299. Muir recorded double-digit kills in 19 of the ‘Dons’ 26 matches. He hit a career-high 23 kills in three sets at McKendree, the third most in the program’s rally scoring era.
Purdue Fort Wayne finished seventh in the MIVA last season, finishing with a 4-12 conference record.
Muir and the Mastodons open the season on the Arnie Ball Court against Missouri S&T on January 10.
2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team)
Lucas Machado – Ball State
*Patrick Rogers – Ball State
Oguzhan Oguz – Lewis
Nico Paula – Lewis
Ryan McElligott – Loyola Chicago
Daniel Fabikovic – Loyola Chicago
Aleksander Sosa – Loyola Chicago
Yadiel Diaz – McKendree
Nate Flayter – McKendree
Stanislaw Chacinski – Ohio State
Shane Wetzel – Ohio State
Logan Muir – Purdue Fort Wayne
*Preseason Player of the Year
~ Feel the Rumble ~
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