Friday, October 16

Welcome back to the Guardians Beat newsletter. My name is Tim Stebbins, and this is my second season covering Cleveland for MLB.com.

CLEVELAND -- When Guardians prospect Angel Genao was a kid, Alex Rodriguez was his favorite baseball player. The longtime Yankees star enjoyed a decorated career in the big leagues, during much of which he was a shortstop.

After Rodriguez retired in 2016, Genao (who aspired to be a big league shortstop himself) found a new favorite player to root for: former Cleveland star Francisco Lindor.

“Growing up, I watched a lot of videos. He was my favorite player,” said Genao, who’s ranked as the Guardians’ No. 2 prospect and No. 50 overall by MLB Pipeline. “Some people say we have a similar profile. It makes me feel good.”

It’s poetic that Genao now finds himself following the path Lindor once charted as a highly regarded shortstop in the Cleveland farm system. It could take him to the big leagues perhaps as soon as later this season. Genao (who will turn 22 on May 19) is one step from the Majors after the Guardians promoted him from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus on May 3.

The Guardians added Genao to their 40-man roster in November. He got a taste of Major League life while in big league camp this spring. His promotion to Triple-A is only further motivation as he finds himself on the precipice of his lifelong dream.

“It’s a big motivation,” Genao said, “knowing that you’re almost there to your dream [of reaching] The Show, to be with those guys that you see in Spring Training.”

Genao reached Double-A for the first time in 2025, but he was limited to 77 games with Akron after opening the season on the IL with a right shoulder strain. He slashed .259/.323/.359 with the RubberDucks with 17 doubles, four triples, two homers, 29 walks and 54 strikeouts.

Genao played winter ball in the Dominican Republic over the offseason with the Aguilas Cibaenas. He credited the experience for getting him reps against veteran pitchers -- not unlike those who are in Triple-A, given how they lean on velocity less, throw more breaking pitches and control the zone better.

Genao also noted winter ball helped him with a mindset adjustment at the plate to become more patient and hunt his pitch.

“I had some conversations about how good I can be being a little bit more patient and taking more walks,” Genao said. “I have a good eye to recognize balls and strikes, but I swing a lot because I have a high-contact rate. That [adjustment] increased the walk rate.”

Genao had a 9.4 percent walk rate in the Minors in 2025. It’s early, but he’s increased that to 17.3 percent so far in 2026 and is still hitting. He slashed .271/.418/.412 with three doubles, three homers, 22 walks and 20 strikeouts over 24 games with Akron. 

Through his first six games with Columbus, Genao went 9-for-27 (.333) with three doubles, one triple, one home run, two walks and five strikeouts. Healthy coming out of the gates this season, Genao has also come out hot.

"The only thing that I need is to be healthy,” Genao said. “Being healthy, I can show what I can do on the field.”

Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio followed along with Genao's winter ball stint. He was impressed this spring by his preparation and abilities offensively and defensively. He tried to provide mentorship to Genao on how to carry himself away from the ballpark.

“He has all the weapons to be a superstar player,” Rocchio said.

Lindor developed into a superstar player, but beyond his skill, Genao was drawn to the joy with which he plays the game. Lindor’s nickname, Mr. Smile, is well-earned.

“That's very important,” Genao said of playing with joy. “When we’re kids, we’re just thinking ‘Play the game and enjoy it.' Sometimes that helps you to get through the tough moments of the game.”

Genao is just getting started with Columbus. He wants to continue refining himself with the Clippers, including smaller details such as making routine plays and throws. Put another way …

“Everything that I need to do to get there as quick as possible, to help the team in Cleveland,” Genao said.

José Ramírez entered Monday with a career 1.085 OPS against the Angels, highest in MLB history among players with at least 200 plate appearances. Which Cleveland player ranked second?

A. Mike Napoli
B. Jim Thome
C. Albert Belle
D. Manny Ramirez

With Stephen Vogt under the weather with a respiratory issue, bench coach Tony Arnerich served as the Guardians’ acting manager on Sunday and Monday. Arnerich said before Monday's series opener against the Angels that the skipper is on the mend.

“He's doing better. He wasn't feeling well,” Arnerich said. “He's hoping to be back [Tuesday], so hopefully he will be.”

Vogt has remained involved with the Guardians' usual daily rhythms and conversations while at home. Arnerich noted they live in the same house, and joked he could be forced out onto the lawn if the Guardians lose.

Beyond their living and work situations crossing over, Arnerich and Vogt bear a resemblance and have often been confused for one another. Arnerich (whom the Guardians hired as their bench coach in November) said he's been confused for Vogt by opposing players and umpires this season, some of whom will even greet him across the field thinking he's Vogt.

“It’s pretty funny,” Arnerich said. “The opposing players will [wave] and I'm like, ‘I don't know that guy, but I think he thinks I'm Vogter,’ so I just wave back. Umpires, same thing. It's been fun, though.”

A. Mike Napoli

Napoli had a 1.048 OPS in 316 career plate appearances against the Angels. Belle had a .938 OPS in 471 plate appearances (ranked 19th). Thome had a .931 OPS in 490 plate appearances (21st), and Manny Ramirez had a .920 OPS in 529 plate appearances (30th).

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