George Lombard Jr. hasn't been in the majors for long, but the New York Yankees rookie is already earning the respect of the most important voice in their clubhouse.

With the Yankees trailing the Minnesota Twins 2-1 in the eighth inning Monday, Lombard crushed Andrew Morris' 98 mph fastball off the left-center-field wall for a leadoff double. He eventually scored the tying run on José Caballero's single, igniting a six-run inning in New York's eventual 8-3 victory.

Aaron Judge was impressed by more than just the result.

“It was unbelievable,” Judge said, via The Athletic's Brendan Kuty. “I saw him, even leading up to that at-bat, he was on the iPad. He's doing his homework. First-pitch swinging to be able to do that off a guy like that who has been so lock-down for the Twins all year was impressive.”

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That is an incredible endorsement for the 21-year-old. Everyone knows the Yankees belong to Judge. He's their captain, superstar, and the player everything revolves around. But New York desperately needs its next generation of stars to emerge around him, especially after Juan Soto left for the Mets.

Lombard Jr. has an opportunity to become one of them. The Yankees' top prospect entered the majors with enormous expectations after being selected in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. His rookie season hasn't been perfect, but New York remains excited about his future.

More importantly, Lombard Jr. is getting his first taste of October baseball immediately. The Yankees clinched a postseason berth with Monday's victory, meaning the rookie could soon find himself taking important at-bats under the brightest lights in baseball.

If the rookie can produce a few more moments like Monday once the postseason arrives, it won't take long for Yankees fans — or Judge — to become even bigger believers.