Charlie Furbush has been successful at every level of baseball he’s ever played and he’s again making an impact with his newest team – and his latest challenge – the Gulf Coast League Tigers. The former South Portland Red Riot ace earned his second straight win on the mound on Monday afternoon with a 6-2 win over the GCL Yankees in rookie league play in Florida.
Last month, the Detroit Tigers drafted the South Portland native in the fourth round of this year’s draft (151st selection overall) and he promptly signed his first professional contract several days later. He was sent to play in the Gulf Coast League where he’s already appeared in four games – three as a starter.
“The Tigers have a really well set-up organization. The pitching coach is working with you every day,” said Furbush. “I’m putting in a lot of effort and I’m trying to do what I’ve been taught.”
On Monday, the 21-year-old southpaw went six innings giving up six hits and just two runs while striking out six. His earned run average has dipped to 2.81 and he’s struck out 23 batters in 16 innings of work.
His first win as a professional came on Tuesday, July 10, when he picked up the decision in a 9-2 victory over the GCL Blue Jays. Furbush was impressive, limiting the Jays to just one hit while striking out 10 batters in five innings on the mound.
Naturally, Furbush admits he’ll always remember that first win. “Hopefully I can look back (to that victory) after winning many more games in the future,” he said.
Is there anything specific he’s been working on during his first month as a professional?
“Overall, it’s just pitching in general – throwing strikes, knowing what to throw and when to throw it,” Furbush said about his training thus far. “Right now it’s not one little thing that I’m working on. A lot of the high school guys that got drafted are in the league. And we’re all trying to do the same thing – and that’s get to the major leagues.”
Prior to the rookie league, Furbush’s most recent competition was at the Division I collegiate level this past spring when he pitched for the Louisiana State University baseball team. His pitching statistics for the Tigers were not what you might expect for a fourth round draft choice, but stats can be misleading.
“He was our Friday night starter for most of the year,” said LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri. “And he really didn’t get a lot of run support.”
Mainieri has coached many talented players and he understands what Furbush is up against and what he needs to do to achieve his goal of pitching in the big leagues.
“His control needs to get better and he needs to do all the little things (that are necessary at the major league level),” said Mainieri. “It’s a tough grind, but I have a lot of confidence that Charlie has what it takes.”
St. Joseph’s College baseball coach Will Sanborn also had the opportunity to coach Furbush during his freshman and sophomore seasons when he attended the Standish school before transferring to Baton Rouge.
“Charlie is the type of pitcher that doesn’t come along every day,” said Sanborn. “He’s a 6-5 lefty who throws the ball in the low 90s. He has good control and really competes on the mound.”
Sanborn also understands what Furbush will need to do to move up and turn heads in the Tigers organization.
“It is all about progress – about getting better. Hopefully he can throw even harder as he develops physically,” Sanborn said. “I am sure his secondary pitches will need some work to move up at the professional level. Holding runners is another area where he can improve. Charlie has a great deal of potential to develop into a big league pitcher – but like most young players his success will be determined not by what he has at this point – but how much he can improve it.”
“I think Charlie has the desire, attitude, and work ethic to get to the big league level. We are proud to have him as a part of St. Joe’s baseball.”
What the immediate future holds is still uncertain. He may play in an instructional league once the rookie league season ends on August 27. But nothing’s definite and he hasn’t been told where he might go next or if he can just head home and prepare for spring training in February.
“It’s really all up in the air. It depends on what the organization thinks is best for you and best for them,” Furbush concluded. “But the better you do, the easier it is to get up to the big league. I’ll just keep working hard.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
