Top 50 Tuesday: Why Angel Genao could be the next great Guardians infielder

Welcome back to Top 50 Tuesday, your weekly look into the future of the Cleveland Guardians. This week, we’re talking about a prospect who is the perfect example of what the Guardians' farm system is all about: a gritty, athletic, switch-hitting middle infielder who just keeps getting better.

Meet Angel Genao, the Dominican dynamo who signed with the Guardians for $1.18 million in 2021 and has since become one of the most exciting bats in the organization.

Why Angel Genao could be the next great Guardians infielder

For a long time, Genao was a well-kept secret in the Guardians' minor league system. Listed at a compact 5'9", 150 pounds, he was the prototypical Guardians prospect: a player with an advanced plate approach, solid defense, and a knack for making consistent contact. He even played for the Dominican Republic at the Little League World Series in 2017, which was early example that he's the kind of player who can excel on the big stage.

But after a promising stateside debut in 2022, Genao hit a snag in 2023 when he tore a meniscus in his knee. He battled through it and played in 72 games at Single-A, but it was clear the injury was holding him back.

However, as we all know, a true professional finds a way to overcome adversity. In 2024, Genao came back fully healthy and put together a breakout year that got everyone’s attention.

He started the season at Single-A Lynchburg and was absolutely sensational, hitting a robust .341 with six home runs and 12 steals in just 44 games. The power was the most promising development; his ability to drive the ball out of the park was a new and very exciting wrinkle in his game.

His dominance at Single-A earned him a quick promotion to High-A Lake County, and he didn’t miss a beat, hitting .322 with four more homers and 13 steals. He ended the 2024 season with a total of 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases. He was also tied for fifth in the minors with a .330 along with 38 doubles.

This year, Genao has continued to impress since getting the a call to Double-A Akron, where he’s showing a veteran’s eye at the plate despite his struggles with the bat.

Through 61 games with the RubberDucks, his stats are: He's slashed .254/.313/.357 in 61 games this year with Akron to go along with one home run and 29 RBI. He's walked 22 times compared to 48 strikeouts, and has also recorded five steals.

While his numbers aren't as eye-popping as they were in 2024, Genao's scouting grades and the advanced metrics tell a deeper story. He has a quick, compact swing from both sides of the plate, and while he shows more power as a righty, he's proficient from either side.

His incredible bat-to-ball skills allow him to make consistent contact, and he has a discerning eye that will lead to more walks as he adjusts to Double-A pitching. He also has a strong defensive foundation, with smooth actions, quick hands, and a strong arm that should allow him to stick at shortstop in the long run. He’s an incredibly versatile defender, and can also play second base and third base in a pinch.

In many ways, Genao reminds me of a marquee prospect from a different team: Jett Williams of the New York Mets. Like Genao, Williams is a smaller, switch-hitting shortstop who was known for his incredible plate discipline and on-base skills as he climbed the minor league ladder. Both players succeed by being scrappy, smart, and tenacious at the plate, rather than relying on pure power.

Williams is zeroing in a big league debut for the Mets, which shows that Genao's kind of all-around skill set is exactly what teams are looking for right now, and it's clear that Genao has proven he can overcome setbacks and get to that next level.

It's just a matter of time before this determined, all-around talent brings his relentless drive to the big leagues.