Cleveland Guardians Top 30 Prospects: #19 Nate Furman

The 2021 and 2022 Cleveland Guardians draft classes have the potential to be a special crop of players. We've already discussed how the 2016 draft class was unique in the sense that it produced three members of the current rotation — Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, and Zach Plesac — and saw them all make their Major League debuts in the same season. In fact, my top 30 list will feature 10 players from the past two drafts, and arguably should include more from the 2022 class, but that's a topic for my just missed list when we reach the end.With Cleveland's recent reputation for prospect development, it's easy to feel excited when you look at every name the Guardians took in 2022. That excitement level is raised significantly when you consider the gains a few members of the 2021 class made in their first professional season. Our focus today shifts back to a position player who already features the usual staples of a Guardians prospect; contact, discipline, awareness, and maybe even a few intangibles.Nate Furman is my 19th-ranked Guardians prospect, a 21-year-old second baseman selected by Cleveland in the fourth round out of the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. Furman was named Second-Team Conference USA and team MVP for his sophomore season, but his reputation isn't centered around awards. He put together his best body of work in 2022 as a sophomore, putting up counting stats that rank top 10 in Charlotte's program history.Furman played 58 games in 2022 slashing .371/.502/.474 with 14 doubles, just two home runs, 21 steals, and drew 49 walks (16.3%) to just 26 strikeouts (8.7%). No, a .502 on-base percentage is not a typo, that's a real-life number as Furman managed to get hit by 14 pitches on top of the 49 walks, and it's not unusual by his standards. Overall in 94 collegiate games, he slashed .351/.482/.468 with 21 doubles, 22 stolen bases and 71 walks (16.9%) to 41 strikeouts (9.8%). He even managed to turn in a .306/.387/.367 line in 28 games for the Orleans Fire Birds of the Cape Cod League.[embed]https://twitter.com/CleGuardPro/status/1606712646459236352?s=20&t=gyjUF2vmKYyeIU5N7A2J0Q[/embed]Alright, that's a lot of numbers, but let's talk about what makes Furman tick. He possesses elite bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline, with quick hands and bat speed featuring a smooth, compact left-handed stroke. Whereas the Guardians think they can add power to certain players it's likely Furman never will add any to his 5 foot 8-inch, 180-pound frame. His speed is more tenacity than anything, playing every rep like his hair is on fire, which translates to quickness at second base, and possessing an average arm makes him an ideal fit at the keystone.Furman constantly puts the ball in play which leads to opportunities for his aggressiveness to make something happen. What he lacks in power and size he makes up for by working harder than anyone in the room. He has a great reputation as a hard worker, relentless competitor, and a good mind for the game. Frankly his profile is reminiscent of Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, and while a lineup full of players lacking power would be tough to work with, most teams would kill to have one player with Kwan's reputation, let alone two. That doesn't mean Furman will be a 4.4 fWAR player, Gold Glover and Rookie of the Year finalist, but as Cleveland fans, we've seen this before.[embed]https://twitter.com/CharlotteBSB/status/1383532488354525191?s=20&t=gyjUF2vmKYyeIU5N7A2J0Q[/embed]Furman will make his professional debut for the Guardians in 2023 where I expect him to adjust very quickly to the lower minors. There are those who believe Furman's speed and arm could transition him to center field, which may help alleviate the future headache of finding where to play him among the Guardians flood of middle infielders scattered throughout the system. Kwan found success at the Major League level, and it's possible Furman can too. He'll go as far as his bat will carry him, even without any projectable power. Sometimes hard work and tenacity weigh more than natural talent, and it's something tailor made for Cleveland's brand of baseball.The List so Far:20. Petey Halpin21. Will Benson22. Doug Nikhazy23. Tanner Burns24. Joe Lampe25. Isaiah Greene26. Jake Fox27. Jhonkensy Noel28. Jack Leftwich29. Trenton Denholm30. Peyton Battenfield