2060.05 - The Long Beach Independent - State of the Farm - INT

[Lane]

NAZEEH HEADLINES YOUTHFUL GROUP

Gary Tinstaap

July 12,2060
Catalina Island, CA

I've spent the past week here at the Long Beach Surfers' spring training complex on Catalina Island, which also houses the training center for the organization's international prospects. A bevy of coaches and trainers live here year round to tend to the development of the teen-aged ballplayers.

The complex is nearly full at this point in the season, with 49 of the maximum 50 players, a limit imposed by the Office of the Commissioner.

The top prospects here are notably young, headlined by 16-year-old center fielder Kareef Nazeeh, who was signed by scouts out of Kuwait this past December. The 6'1" righty is speedy and has good range in the outfield. Scouts believe that he'll be able to be a regular in a BBA outfield with excellent gap power, and an all around balanced approach at the plate (POT 6/6/6/7/6/5). As with most of his peers, he will need many years of work in the minor leagues, but for his age he is well developed (3/2/3/3/2/2). Nazeeh is currently given a 50 overall potential by OSA.

Following closely behind is a trio of 17-year-olds rated 45 by OSA; OF Hamayun Mashwanis, C Mauro Perea, and IF Cyril Sortras. Perea and Sortras were IFA signings this season.

Mauro Perea is a switch hitting catcher who shows great promise with his glove and with his bat, however scouts have noted that his work ethic generally lags behind other prospects. As a switch hitter with a balanced approach at the plate (POT 5/5/6/5/6/5) he could be a starter for a good BBA team if he manages to reach that potential. A lot of that will be up to him though.

Cyril Sortras is a righty that projects to have one of the best eyes coming out of the Surfers' international complex. OSA scouts say it could end up as an 8 rated eye, and paired with 6 power, Sortras could be a middle of the order hitter at some point. His defense needs significant work, in particular his range and footwork. He may end up at first base long term, but his high work ethic may enable him to improve on his skills in the future.

Hamayun Mashwanis is another righty with a balanced approach at the plate who will need to improve his defense. Unlike Sortras, he will likely need to figure out how to play a defensive position in order to be a BBA contributor. At 6'2", there's certainly enough size to improve his arm and range to become a good defender in an outfield corner, time will tell if the Long Beach development staff will be able to help him improve.