Cleveland Guardians 2023 prospect scouting report: #24 INF Angel Genao

Genao runs well and is a smooth fielder, but will he add strength to his game to improve his bat long term?

Build and Background 

Projectable framed, wiry middle infielders build. Still very young and looking to add strength. Lean. Signed with the Guardians in 2021 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic. 

What Genao does well

Easy plus runner. Busts out of the box as a runner and is quick underway. Smooth and controlled actions as a fielder. Shows good internal clock and doesn’t let things speed up on him. Sure, smooth hands. Good range and solid footwork. More than enough arm from the left side of the infield. Contact oriented swing. Does show good bat speed. Patient and will work a walk.

Where Genao needs to improve 

Right now, it’s just about adding strength for Genao. He can look overpowered at times by good velocity. Shows tendency to chase breaking stuff in the dirt. Will take some big, wild cuts at times. Swing is more geared toward line drives right now. Patience can some times look like passivity.

Intangibles 

Not much is known yet about Genao but Cleveland did trust him enough to get him out to an affiliate late in 2022 as an 18 year old. Shows maturity when playing and plays with a high motor. 

Future 

Speed, defense and contact should all be among the things that Genao can lean on as he moves up the ladder as a prospect. All good qualities to have trying to develop as a prospect. Defense and speed should allow him to have a good floor as a prospect, but it all comes down to how he develops physically in order to move up offensively. Genao does seem to know the strike zone pretty well and doesn’t seem apt to chase bad pitches much yet. There’s a lot of upside here if he can add strength and start to get the ball into the gaps more. Maybe a floor of a utility type infielder, and much more in there as he grows and we see more, if the physicality comes along.

Role: 45 - Utility infield floor with upside as a potentially average starter at short with speed and plus defense

Jay L @JayLVideoBP

Angel Genao 2022 season highlights