Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Another example of Cleveland's fondness for switch-hitting middle infielders with pure hitting ability, Genao signed for $1,175,000 in January 2021. A member of the Dominican Republic's 2017 Little League World Series club, he finished seventh in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in hitting (.322) in his U.S. debut in 2022. He missed most of the first two months last season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee, then batted .263/.345/.385 in Single-A at age 19.

Genao has a quick, compact swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. He has a very disciplined approach, rarely chasing pitches and using the entire field. He didn't use incorporate his lower half much in his relatively flat stroke in 2023 -- perhaps because his knee was bothering him -- but he's hitting the ball harder this year and could provide 15 homers per season.

Genao's high baseball IQ allows him to get the most out of his average speed on the bases and at shortstop. He's a smooth defender with quick hands and solid-to-plus arm strength. He also has seen time at third base and second base and is at least a solid defender all around the infield..

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 35 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45 

The Guardians pluck a sweet-swinging middle infielder, often a switch-hitter, out of almost every international class and Genao fit that model in their 2020-21 crop. A member of the Dominican Republic's 2017 Little League World Series club, he signed for $1,175,000 in January 2021. He finished seventh in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League batting race (.322) last summer in his U.S. debut and spent the last week of the season in Single-A at age 18. 

Genao is built to hit for contact with a quick, compact stroke and good feel for the barrel from both sides of the plate. He makes advanced swing decisions and adjustments, and he does a nice job of using the entire field. After driving the ball in the air more consistently in 2022, he's hitting far too many grounders this year and it's unclear whether he'll reach double-digit homers even as he gains some strength.

Genao's high baseball IQ helps him play quicker than his average speed on the bases and at shortstop. He has smooth actions, quick hands and solid-to-plus arm strength. He projects as at least a solid defender at short and perhaps plus at second base. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45 

The Guardians seem to land a sweet-swinging middle infielder in every international class, and Genao fits that bill from their 2020-21 crop. A member of the Dominican Republic's 2017 Little League World Series team, he turned pro for $1,175,000 in January 2021. He has lived up to his reputation as an advanced hitter in his first two pro seasons.  

Genao has a quick, compact swing from both sides of the plate, exhibits nice feel for the barrel and makes swing decisions well beyond his years. After getting a bit pull-happy and making a lot of ground-ball contact during his pro debut, he has adjusted and done a better job of using the entire field and driving balls in the air. He'll always be a hit-over-power guy but could develop into a 15-homer threat once he adds some needed strength. 

Genao has average speed and good instincts on the bases. His baseball IQ also is apparent at shortstop, where he has smooth actions, quick hands and solid arm strength. He has the potential to become a solid defender at short and plus at second base. 

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A switch-hitting shortstop from the northern region of the island, Genao is one of many talented shortstops from the Dominican Republic is this year’s class.

Long and lean, the teenager has shown the ability to hit in games and make consistent, hard contact. He also projects to stay at shortstop as he grows into his body. Here’s why: Genao has soft hands, solid footwork and an average arm now that projects to be above average. He’s instinctual and shows some polish on defense. Consistent, but not flashy, Genao makes all of the plays with good range. He has an average arm now and it projects to be above average in the future. 

At the plate, Genao features a loose and smooth swing with the ability to use the entire field in games. He has a feel for the strike zone, and like most prospects his age, he’s working on plate discipline. He projects to be a plus runner with some base-stealing abilities.

He’s impressed scouts with his baseball IQ and feel for the game on both sides of the ball. He is trained by Aldo Marrero, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program, in the Dominican Republic. The Indians are the favorite to sign him.

Awards

MiLB Awards All-MiLB Prospect Second Team

Year	Team
2024

MID Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

CAR Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/19/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/03/2024	SS Angel Genao assigned to Lake County Captains from Lynchburg Hillcats.
	03/10/2024	SS Angel Genao assigned to Cleveland Guardians.
	03/07/2024	Cleveland Guardians Prospects activated SS Angel Genao.
	05/26/2023	Lynchburg Hillcats activated SS Angel Genao from the 7-day injured list.
	05/26/2023	Lynchburg Hillcats activated SS Angel Genao from the 7-day injured list.
	04/06/2023	Lynchburg Hillcats placed SS Angel Genao on the 7-day injured list.
	08/29/2022	SS Angel Genao assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats from ACL Guardians.
	08/29/2022	Lynchburg Hillcats activated SS Angel Genao.
	06/06/2022	SS Angel Genao assigned to ACL Guardians.
	04/05/2022	SS Angel Genao and assigned to Cleveland Guardians.
	07/11/2021	SS Angel Genao assigned to DSL Indians Blue.
	01/15/2021	Cleveland Indians signed free agent SS Angel Genao to a minor league contract.