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After losing 11 active players and three recruits to the 2017 MLB draft, David Pierce is working tirelessly to ensure the 2018 class will be deep enough to withstand any serious roster blows.
And as it turns out, Tom Herman isn't the only Texas Longhorns coach making recruiting waves this summer.
Outfielder Chase Roberts and right-handed pitcher Lance Ford both committed to Texas on Sunday, according to the recruits' Twitter accounts. Both are part of the 2018 recruiting class.
Very humbled and excited to say that I have committed to The University of Texas to play the game that I love pic.twitter.com/yWdqiKD6Sd
— Chase Roberts (@Chseroberts) July 23, 2017
Excited to announce that I will be furthering my baseball and academic careers at The University of Texas! #hook'em pic.twitter.com/5SKHeRmqoM
— Lance Ford (@lanceford13) July 23, 2017
Roberts is from Elgin, South Carolina and originally committed to Clemson in October. He announced that was re-opening his recruitment on July 15.
The Lugoff-Elgin high schooler hit .388 and notched 21 RBIs as a junior en route to being awarded All-State honors in 2017.
Roberts has a quality that Pierce loves out of his recruits — he can both hit and pitch. The left-hander was 5-1 with a 0.88 ERA on the mound last season.
Roberts stands at 5'11 and is an athletic 195 pounds. At the 2017 Perfect Game National Showcase, he recorded a 6.65 60 time. He is a base stealing threat, as he took 12 bases as a sophomore and even plays running back on his school's football team.
Though his MLB draft stock could still grow, Roberts is currently in the sweet spot of being highly regarded while not being an imminent pro departure out of high school. Roberts is a 2017 Perfect Game Underclass High Honorable Mention, but is not ranked as a top 100 prospect nationally.
Lance Ford is an infielder from Kerrville, Texas who is more under the radar than Roberts, but is still a sought after prospect. He is currently unranked by Perfect Game, but enjoyed a breakout 2017 season.
The Tivy High Schooler helped his team to a 30-6 record and hit for a .448 average in 2017.
Ford pitches in addition to playing in the infield. The local product throws right-handed (though he hits left) and has a fastball that's been recorded at 88 miles per hour.
Ford also plays quarterback for Tivy.
According to his Perfect Game profile, Ford is a 4.0 student.
The Longhorns now have 14 commits for 2018, and the class is ranked No. 17 in the nation.