Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50

Tulane used Lombardi as a center fielder, first baseman and closer this spring to the frustration of scouts, who wanted to see more of him in extended outings on the mound. He averaged 15.6 strikeouts per nine innings as a junior but went more than two innings just twice in 22 regular-season appearances. He fanned 11 in a seven-inning start at the American Athletic Conference tournament in late May, which may boost him into the top three rounds.

Lombardi has been unhittable this spring, with both his fastball and curveball generating some of the best in-zone swing-and-miss rates in NCAA Division I. His heater deals at 93-95 mph and reaches 97 with tremendous carry, as well as some armside run. His high three-quarters arm slot helps him stay on top of his 78-81 mph curve, which features so much sharp break that he struggles to land it in the zone and it doesn't draw many chases.

Lombardi also has some feel for an 82-85 mph changeup with some depth, so he has enough pitches to start. After battling the strike zone during his first two college seasons, he has improved his control as a junior and has the athleticism and delivery to continue to get better once he becomes a full-time pitcher. He has played all four infield spots and center field for the Green Wave, showing a good approach at the plate as well as some right-handed power, but his future is definitely on the mound.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 65 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

A center fielder, first baseman, starter and closer at Tulane, Lombardi did it all in college. His Draft outlook was much better on the mound, where he saw a lot of improvement his junior year. That included a velocity increase and led to 73 strikeouts in 42 innings. Lombardi turned that into a second-round selection by the Royals in the 2025 Draft, and he received a $1,297,500 signing bonus. He began his professional career in Arizona, where he pitched in the Royals’ Bridge League and instructional league games.

Mainly a reliever at Tulane, Lombardi got things done with his fastball and curveball, which both generated a lot of in-zone swing-and-miss. The heater sits 93-95 mph but runs up to 97 with lots of vert, while the 78-81 mph curveball has a sharp break. Lombardi has some feel for a changeup but he needs to develop it more to turn it into the above-average pitch some evaluators think it might be. He’s added a slider since joining the Royals mainly as a bridge pitch because his other pitches cover different parts of his movement plot, so the slider gives hitters something else to honor in the zone. Lombardi is very athletic -- which makes sense given his time in center field -- and brings that to his delivery, moving well down the mound. He didn’t throw a ton of strikes in college, so finding the zone will be a focus for him as a pro.

Lombardi’s two-way status meant he hasn’t spent as much time on the mound as a typical college pitcher, so there’s development to be had here, both with his stuff but also his strength and throwing program. For that reason, the Royals might be a little more cautious with him, but there’s a ton of upside in his raw stuff and athleticism. He’ll develop as a starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Tulane used Lombardi as a center fielder, first baseman and closer this spring to the frustration of scouts, who wanted to see more of him in extended outings on the mound. He averaged 15.6 strikeouts per nine innings as a junior but went more than two innings just twice in 22 regular-season appearances. He fanned 11 in a seven-inning start at the American Athletic Conference tournament in late May, which likely boosted his stock. He went to the Royals in the second round in the 2025 Draft and signed for a little below slot at $1,297,500.

Lombardi was unhittable in the spring, with both his fastball and curveball generating some of the best in-zone swing-and-miss rates in NCAA Division I. His heater deals at 93-95 mph and reaches 97 with tremendous carry, as well as some armside run. His high, three-quarters arm slot helps him stay on top of his 78-81 mph curve, which features so much sharp break that he struggles to land it in the zone, and it doesn't draw many chases.

Lombardi also has some feel for an 82-85 mph changeup with some depth, so he has enough pitches to start. After battling the strike zone during his first two college seasons, he improved his control as a junior and showed the athleticism and delivery to continue to get better as he becomes a full-time pitcher.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	RHP Michael Lombardi assigned to Kansas City Royals Prospects.
	08/04/2025	ACL Royals activated RHP Michael Lombardi.
	07/21/2025	RHP Michael Lombardi assigned to ACL Royals.
	07/21/2025	Kansas City Royals signed RHP Michael Lombardi.
	06/14/2025	Wareham Gatemen activated RHP Michael Lombardi.
	06/14/2025	Wareham Gatemen placed RHP Michael Lombardi on the temporarily inactive list.
	06/03/2025	RHP Michael Lombardi assigned to College Workout.
	04/02/2025	RHP Michael Lombardi assigned to Tulane Green Wave.
	04/30/2024	SS Michael Lombardi assigned to Tulane Green Wave.
	05/22/2023	SS Michael Lombardi assigned to Tulane Green Wave.