This story was excerpted from Tim Stebbins’ Guardians Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CLEVELAND -- Guardians rookie infielder Angel Genao is in the midst of his first stint in the big leagues. But in retrospect, he got a bit of an appetizer nine years ago.
Genao was a shortstop and a pitcher on the Los Bravos de Pontezuela team that represented the Dominican Republic at the 2017 Little League World Series. As part of that journey, he attended the inaugural Little League Classic between the Cardinals and Pirates in Williamsport, Pa.
“It was really special to be part of that first edition,” Genao said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “Now that I can compare, it feels like I was living one day of being a Major Leaguer, being a Little Leaguer. It was my first exposure to being around Major Leaguers.”
That memorable experience afforded Genao the chance to meet and hang out with big leaguers such as Yadier Molina, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco. He looked up to those players while dreaming of one day being in their shoes. That became reality on Aug. 5, when Genao made his MLB debut at Progressive Field.
While he contributes to the Guardians' postseason push, Genao (who’s ranked as Cleveland’s No. 1 prospect and No. 29 overall by MLB Pipeline) has followed the 2026 Little World Series, including the Los Nacionales Little League team from Santiago, Dominican Republic, that participated in the tournament. It has been special for the 22-year-old to reflect on where baseball has taken him.
“It's really nice to see where I am right now,” Genao said, “and also remember that I was there at some point, and then just remember all the things that we lived there that were so special. I’m very excited for those guys who are there, and hopefully in the future they can be in the Major Leagues as well.”
Genao’s Little League team went 1-2 in Williamsport. A little over three years later, he signed with Cleveland as an international free agent, on Jan. 15, 2021, and went on to establish himself as a promising talent in the Guardians’ farm system before his MLB debut.
Genao has been a steady contributor for the Guardians in this stretch run. Through 18 games, he has recorded a .288/.347/.379 slash line with three doubles, one home run, three RBIs and five walks with eight strikeouts. He has made three starts at shortstop, and seven each at second and third base.
“He just doesn't seem to be fazed by any of it,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “He's a great kid. He works hard. He’s just had a great demeanor since he's been here, and whatever we've thrown at him, he's handled. It's been really fun to watch a kid so young do something like that.”
Genao said he has been trying to learn and absorb as much as he can in the Majors. He has felt welcomed by everyone with the Guardians, which has helped his adjustment.
“I always keep it in mind to try to listen and learn,” Genao said. “I think that makes it more fulfilling to see that I'm always willing to learn, and they’re willing to teach me. Most importantly, I’m very thankful for the organization, for the type of people we have here, not only as players but also as people and the way they want me to be a better player and also a better person.”
Genao recalled the motivation he received from players such as Molina, Marte and Polanco in Williamsport nine years ago. Their message then was if he worked hard, he, too, had a chance to reach the Majors.
As Genao continues to chart his own path in the Majors, he hopes to return to Williamsport with the Guardians one day, and serve as inspiration for Little Leaguers who hope to follow in his footsteps.
“I would like to go back there and also have it be a full circle and help them out,” Genao said. “Just to remind them, ‘Hey, I was there at some point. I listened to advice, and now I’m in the Major Leagues. So you guys can do it too.’”