Guardians' Angel Genao: Replaces teammate against lefty
Rotowire
Genao started at second base and went 1-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over Detroit.
Genao replaced the primary second baseman, Travis Bazzana, for the second time in the last three games in which the Guardians faced a left-handed starter. Bazzana has a .192./.306/.240 slash line over 121 plate appearances against lefties. The switch-hitting Genao logged an .881 OPS against left-handers while with Triple-A Columbus prior to his call-up to Cleveland.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Hits first career homer
Rotowire
Genao went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a hit-by-pitch in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the White Sox.
This was Genao's first homer and first extra-base hit over four major-league games. The infield prospect is currently seeing steady playing time -- he's made two starts each at second base and third base, providing some cover at the hot corner while Jose Ramirez has battled lingering soreness in his surgically repaired left hand. Genao figures to play regularly as long as his bat warrants it, though he may ultimately settle into more of a utility role around the infield.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Covers 2B against lefty
Rotowire
Genao started at second base and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 8-2 win over the White Sox.
The switch-hitting Genao got the start against left-hander Noah Schultz, replacing Travis Bazzana at the keystone. Bazzana, who has struggled against left-handed pitching (.537 OPS) in the majors, may lose opportunities against southpaws going forward, which should benefit Genao.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Big-league debut on tap
Rotowire
The Guardians recalled Genao from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.
Cleveland designated Gabriel Arias for assignment to clear a spot on the active roster for Genao, who will hit the big leagues for the first time. The switch-hitting 22-year-old earned the call-up after slashing .309/.395/.494 with 10 home runs and nine stolen bases across 72 games at Columbus. Genao has made starts at second base, third base and shortstop at Triple-A, and the latter position could be the main spot where he sees his initial action in the big leagues. Brayan Rocchio has been serving as the Guardians' primary shortstop but could see his playing time dip while he's slashed just .179/.225/.269 over 17 games since the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Headed to majors
Rotowire
The Guardians are expected to recall Genao from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Viewed as one of the top prospects in the Guardians' farm system, Genao has spent time at Double-A and Triple-A this season, slashing .299/.400/.458 with 11 homers, 50 RBI, 62 runs and 11 steals to go with a 59:66 BB:K across 95 total games. He may get reps at the hot corner if Jose Ramirez's hand injury ends up sending him to the injured list. Otherwise, Genao could claim the starting shortstop job from Brayan Rocchio, who has posted just a .456 OPS since the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Shielded from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Guardians selected Genao's contract from Double-A Akron on Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
One of the Guardians' top prospects, Genao missed the start of last season with a shoulder injury and never got on track after returning, logging a .259/.323/.359 slash line with two home runs and six steals in 77 games as a 21-year-old at Double-A. The switch-hitting shortstop is a strong bounce-back candidate in 2026, and while he may return to Double-A at the start of the year, he should spend the bulk of the year at Triple-A and could even make his big-league debut next summer.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Down year at Double-A
Rotowire
Genao is slashing .251/.319/.354 with two home runs, six steals and a 16.4 percent strikeout rate in 73 games for Double-A Akron.
A sprained right shoulder sidelined Genao until June, and it's possible the shoulder issue sapped some power, although it's worth noting he homered three times in eight complex-league rehab games, so it could also be facing Double-A pitching for the first time that has stymied his offensive impact. The 21-year-old switch hitter has only played shortstop this season and his defensive abilities will put less pressure on his bat, but he'll still need to hit for more power than he has this year at Double-A. Genao, who reportedly grew an inch and added muscle this past offseason, stole 25 bases in 110 games last year but has six swipes in 81 games this year.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Activated Friday
Rotowire
Genao (shoulder) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Akron on Friday.
Genao, who turned 21 in May, generated buzz in the spring by growing an inch over the offseason and showing up to spring training much stronger, but a sprained right shoulder sidelined him for the first two months of the campaign. He slashed .308/.438/.654 with three home runs over eight rehab games in the Arizona Complex League.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Out until June
Rotowire
Genao sprained his right shoulder during spring training and will be sidelined at Double-A Akron until June, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports.
Genao grew taller and added notable lower-body muscle over the offseason, but his rapid ascent will be slowed by this injury. The switch-hitting shortstop hit .330 with 10 home runs, 25 steals and a 15.5 percent strikeout rate in 110 games last season split between Single-A and High-A. He turns 21 in late May, so he'll still be one of the youngest hitters at Double-A once he returns from injury.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Showing versatility at High-A
Rotowire
Genao is slashing .322/.377/.463 with four home runs, 13 steals and a 16.3 percent strikeout rate in 66 games for High-A Lake County.
Genao was promoted to High-A on June 3, just two weeks after his 20th birthday. He hasn't hit for the same power as he did at Single-A to start the year (six HR, .212 ISO in 44 games), but his hit tool remains a strength and he's tallied 25 steals in 110 games on the year. Genao has started 36 games at shortstop, 16 games at second base and 11 games at third base for the Lake Captains.
... See More... See Less
Guardians' Angel Genao: Advances to High-A
Rotowire
The Guardians promoted Genao from Single-A Lynchburg to High-A Lake County on Monday.
The 20-year-old infielder was one of Lynchburg's standout performers through the first two months of the minor-league season, hitting .346 and getting on base at a .387 clip while slugging seven home runs and stealing 10 bases over his 199 plate appearances. Genao should settle into the everyday role in the middle infield at Lake County that was vacated by second baseman Nate Furman, who was promoted to Double-A Akron on Monday.
