2024 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #31 INF Angel Genao

Genao is a smooth, compact infielder that could show signs of a breakout if he adds strength

Angel Genao Bio

• Age (2024 season): 20

• Acquired: International Free Agent (2021)

• 2023 Level: Low-A

• Height: 5’9

• Weight: 150

• Bats: Switch

• Throws: Right

Angel Genao Stats

• PA: 316

• AVG/OBP/SLG: .263/.345/.375

• 2B: 20

• HR: 4

• SB: 6/9

• K%/BB%: 15.5%/10.8%

Angel Genao 2024 Scouting Grades

• Hit: 45

• Power: 30

• Speed: 60

• Defense: 55

• Arm: 50

• Overall: 40

• Risk: High

• ETA: 2027

Build & Background

Compact, but athletic frame. Smaller in stature. Has some room to add strength to his frame. Slender throughout. Cleveland signed Genao for $1 million out of the Dominican Republic as part of their 2021 international signing class. He was considered to be one of Cleveland’s top signings that season. He played all of his first season of full season ball at Low-A in 2023 at 19 years old.

What Genao Does Well

Genao is a smooth and instinctual player with good feel for contact and the strike zone. He fits the bill for many of Cleveland’s types of up the middle players in that regard. He’s athletic and shows good range at shortstop, good hands and very easy moving actions on the infield. He looks like he should be able to handle any infield spot with the reactions, movements and range for the left side of the infield. His internal clock and good decisions help his arm play up on the left side of the infield. Has a smooth stroke from both sides of the plate. Shows a good eye at the plate and is especially good at attacking fastballs. Shows the ability to go to all fields with the ball. Easy plus runner out of the box and good underway. His speed should stay unless he overgrows his frame.

Where Genao Needs to Improve

Strength is what Genao needs to take the next step in his career in most phases. He lacks punch at the plate, mostly a singles hitter that may grow into fringe average power as his frame doesn’t seem to suggest a ton of growth ahead. He often pushes the ball to the opposite field or up the middle, rather than seeking to pull it. Very ground ball heavy profile. Will take big hacks at times. Needs to continue to refine pitch recognition as he can get out in front of breaking stuff, but makes contact thanks to his bat to ball skills, rather than swing and miss. More strength would help his arm on the left side of the infield. Looks to have a better, more powerful stroke from the right side than left. 

Key Stats

Given Genao’s speed, he should be running more. He’s an easy 4.0 seconds home to first from the left side and should be able to run more.

Genao’s propensity to go to the other way is highlighted by his 42% rate of hitting the ball the to the opposite field. That’s probably something he’ll want to improve on if he wants to be more impactful with the bat.

Intangibles

Everything about Genao suggests he’s a very savvy player with a lot of natural baseball instincts. He looks very smooth and experienced in the field. 

Future

Genao fits a lot of what the Guardians usually target on the infield. He’s still young and his main focus right now looks to be trying to add strength. Presently he looks like he’ll have a hard time having an impact offensively outside of his contact skills and plate discipline. With growth in strength, you might be able to see a solid regular at shortstop but overall might profile as a utility infield type.

Role 

40 - Utility infielder, fringe regular