Guardians Top Prospect Enjoyed Breakout Season In 2024

The Cleveland Guardians have seen many top middle infield prospects graduate in recent seasons: Andrés Giménez, Brayan Rocchio, and Angel Martinez come to mind.

As hard to believe as it might seem, they have plenty more down in the farm.

One of them is Angel Genao, a 2021 international free agent signing out of the Dominican Republic.

Genao hadn’t yet posted an OPS over .800 in any season or level before 2024.

This year, however, he aced not one, but two levels.

In Single-A Lynchburg, the middle infielder hit an impressive .341 with a .936 OPS in 44 games.

Then, with the Lake County Captains (High-A), Genao returned a .840 OPS in 66 games.

Here is MLB Pipeline’s comments about Genao’s skills:

“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.”

They have the talented young hitting machine ranked fourth in the Guardians system.

Genao doesn’t have huge power and won’t wow anyone with speed either, but his feel for hitting is outstanding.

Between the two levels in 2024 he posted a 150 wRC+, accumulated 52 extra-base hits and stole 25 bases.

He will probably be tested in the high minors in 2025, if he remains with the organization and isn’t traded.

One would think that if Genao is involved in a trade, it would be for a legitimate star because he is one of the top guys in the system at the moment.

He could be a future starter in a Cleveland by 2026 if there is a spot for him, of course: that is a discussion for another day.