The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Baseball announces 2021 signing class
11.11.2020 | Baseball
The Longhorns have signed 10 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Baseball and head coach David Pierce today announced the signing of 10 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent in the class of 2021.
Pierce, along with recruiting coordinator Sean Allen and assistant coach Philip Miller, bolstered their future roster by adding eight student-athletes from high schools in Texas, one from the state of Alabama and one junior college player.
"I learned a long time ago that when you think you have enough pitching, recruit more. That's exactly what our staff did," Pierce said. "Sean and Philip did an outstanding job of finding seven arms that prepare well and compete. All of these young men have great character and work ethic. They will arrive on the Forty Acres ready to contribute to the future success of Texas Baseball."
The class features six right-handed pitchers, Jack Arthur (Flower Mound, Texas/Flower Mound), Alec Grossman (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis), Jace Hutchins (College Station, Texas/College Station/Blinn), Carson McKinney (Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian), Cameron O'Banan (Dripping Springs, Texas/Dripping Springs) and Joshua Stewart (Georgetown, Texas/St. Dominic Savio Catholic) – and one left-handed pitcher, Luke Harrison (Friendswood, Texas/Lutheran South Academy).
The class also consists of one infielder, Gavin Kash (Sour Lake, Texas/Monsignor Kelly Catholic) – and two outfielders Gage Wakefield (Bullard, Texas/Bullard) and Ace Whitehead (Lampasas, Texas/Lampasas).
"I also feel we did a very good job identifying the needs in this class, outside of pitching. Ace Whitehead and Gage Wakefield have a chance to be fixtures in our outfield for years to come. Both compete, both run well and are very athletic. The future is bright for both young men on and off the field and we are thrilled to have them joining our program. Gavin Kash adds another dimension to the class of 2021. He is a left-handed hitter with power and the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Gavin is also a very good first baseman. Our 2021 signees fill needs of the team and bring exceptional integrity, work ethic and character to The University of Texas Baseball program. We are very appreciative of their high school coaches, travel coaches and especially their families for their dedication in the development of these 10 exceptional young men. Thanks to our administrative staff, support staff and especially Coach Allen and Coach Miller for their dedication and efforts to make the class of 2021 another class that all Longhorns will be proud of. Hook 'Em!"
Texas Baseball 2021 Signing Class
Jack Arthur | RHP/INF | R/R | 6-1 | 195 | Flower Mound, Texas | Flower Mound
Personal: Son of Frankie and Jennifer Arthur…has one sister, Kate…grandfather D.H. Martin played football at Texas in the 1960s.
High School: Two-year starter and three-year letterman for head coach Danny Wallace at Flower Mound High School…pitched and played first base and right field…also played on the basketball team…high school teammate of current Longhorn Austin Wallace.
I chose Texas because: "It's always been home to me and I've always wanted to wear the burnt orange like my grandfather."
Allen on Arthur: "Jack is a good athlete that will have a chance to be a two-way player for us. On the mound he shows good command of three quality pitches with a very high upside. At the plate he shows good bat-to-ball skills and has shown good power as well. We are excited to add Jack to our roster next fall."
Alec Grossman | RHP | R/R | 5-10 | 170 | Austin, Texas | Lake Travis
Personal: Son of Todd and Nina Grossman…has one sister, Abrianna…grandfather Robert Grossman played minor league baseball for the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants.
High School: Three-year letterman and three-year starter for head coach Mike Rogers at Lake Travis High School…2018 team Most Valuable Player and 2020 Pitcher of the Year…Perfect Game national showcase attendee…member of Team Texas PBR Futures game…preseason All-American…helped lead his team to the 2019 Class 6A state tournament…tossed a one-hitter with eight strikeouts against The Woodlands in 2020.
I chose Texas because: "Everything is bigger and better in Texas."
Allen on Grossman: "Alec is a local kid from Lake Travis that we are very excited he decided to stay home and join our program. Alec is a twitchy athlete that has a fast arm, and has shown signs of having a swing and miss breaking ball. He's a very good competitor that will come in and compete right away."
Luke Harrison | LHP | L/L | 6-2 | 175 | Friendswood, Texas | Lutheran South Academy
Personal: Son of Annette Harrison and Tom Dela Garza.
High School: Three-year starter as a pitcher and outfielder for head coach Aaron Schneider at Lutheran South Academy…Academic All-State as a junior in 2019…second team All-District and named to the all-state tournament team after winning second-straight State Championship in 2018…honorable mention all-district and all-state tournament team after winning 2017 State Championship…tossed complete game wins in back-to-back state championship games…also a two-time all-district quarterback and three-year starter for the football team.
I chose Texas because: "I chose The University of Texas because it is a premier program with a culture of winning. It's an unreal opportunity to not only be a part of one of the most prestigious college baseball programs of all time, but to also attend an outstanding school and receive a class A education."
Allen on Harrison: "Luke is long and lanky LHP that is another very good athlete. He has the body that you look for in a young pitcher. Luke has a lot of upside and already possesses one of the better cutters I have seen in such a young player."
Jace Hutchins | RHP | R/R | 6-5 | 220 | College Station, Texas | College Station | Blinn College
Personal: Son of Jason and Alicia Hutchins…has one sister, Halle…father, Jason, is the director of baseball operations at Texas A&M University…Jason pitched for the Aggies in 1991-92 and in the Colorado Rockies organization.
Previous school: Named a junior college Texas All-Star in 2019 for Blinn College…made six starts and compiled 18/1 innings pitched with 27 strikeouts…earned Deans' Scholar recognition.
High School: A three-year letterman for head coach Scott Holder at College Station High School…helped lead College Station to the state semifinals in 2016 and the second round of playoffs in 2017 and 2018.
I chose Texas because: "I want to be the last team standing when it's all said and done, dog piling in Omaha, and that's why I chose Texas."
Allen on Hutchins: "Jace is a junior college transfer that has been around D1 baseball his entire life. He knows what it takes to win and wants to win at the highest level. His drive and work ethic is going to be fun to watch on a day-to-day basis. He has an elite changeup and a fastball that is in the mid 90's. Jace looks the part and will be a big addition to our pitching staff."
Gavin Kash | INF | L/R | 6-3 | 198 | Sour Lake, Texas | Monsignor Kelly Catholic
Personal: Son of Samuel and Courtnie Kash…has two siblings, Grady and Greyson.
High School: Perfect Game Preseason All-American 2018-2020…four consecutive years as Perfect Game's top first baseman in the State of Texas…2020 Perfect Game National Showcase Top Prospect Team…Perfect Game 2019 Underclass All-American Games Top Prospect Team…TAPPS All State 2019…Flat Bill Top 25 Private School player in Texas 2020…Max Prep Underclass All-American Team 2019…Perfect Game Top 10 2020 & 2021 corner infielder.
I chose Texas because: "With such a historic program and school, there's no better place to be than the greatest university in the country, Texas."
Allen on Kash: "Gavin is a big bodied corner INF/OF that hits from the left side. We needed to add some left-handed hitters in the class and Gavin is one of the best in the state. He has big raw power and good bat-to-ball skills. Defensively he is a very versatile and a solid runner."
Carson McKinney | RHP | R/R | 6-4 | 225 | Birmingham, Ala. | Briarwood Christian
Personal: Son of Greg and Angelique McKinney…has two sisters Arianna and Samantha…father, Greg, played college basketball for Miami University, Hamilton.
High School: Pitched and played first base and third base for head coach Steve Renfroe at Briarwood Christian High School…2020 AL.com first team All-State Super 20 selection as a two-way player…compiled a 1.78 ERA in 2020…2019 first team All-Birmingham as a third baseman…2019 first team All-Over-The-Mountain Journal team…2020 Perfect Game National Invitee…2020 Area Code Games Invitee…2020 MLB Regional Combine invitee…2019 PG Underclass All-American...2015 USA Baseball National Team member, winning gold in Taiwan.
I chose Texas because: "The winning tradition at The University of Texas is no secret. I grew up watching the team on the Longhorn Network and always dreamed of playing at UT. It's a great program, great school, with great coaches. There's just one mission…winning it all in Omaha."
Allen on McKinney: "Carson is another good strike thrower that has a plus breaking ball. Carson understands how to pitch and has the body to continue to develop while he is on the Forty Acres. We are excited to get Carson on campus and begin working with him."
Cameron O'Banan | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 185 | Dripping Springs, Texas | Dripping Springs
Personal: Son of Roy and Lisa O'Banan…has one sister, Amanda…father, Roy, played baseball at Lamar University…sister, Amanda, played basketball at Southwestern University.
High School: Right-handed pitcher and outfielder for coach Chris Payne at Dripping Springs High School…academic All-District as a sophomore in 2019…also lettered three years for the football team…first team All-District and offensive MVP…two-time Academic All-District…also played basketball and competed in track and field.
I chose Texas because: "This is my dream school, my hometown school and the school I grew up always wanting to play for. I chose it for the historic success, the rich history of the alumni that I want to become a part of and because Texas is one of the most prestigious universities in the country."
Allen on O'Banan: "Cam is another very athletic right-handed pitcher in the class. Cam is a very good receiver for Dripping Springs football team and you can see that athleticism while he is on the mound. Cam really spins the ball and pitches in the low 90's. He has a ton left in the tank and I can't wait to begin working with him."
Joshua Stewart | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 185 | Georgetown, Texas | St. Dominic Savio Catholic
Personal: Son of Kimberly and Timothy Stewart…has two siblings, Natalie and Zachary…father Timothy graduated from Texas in 1995…cousin, Kohl Stewart, was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft and is a current member of the Baltimore Orioles organization…uncle, Chris McBee, played baseball at Texas Lutheran…cousin, Kelly Stewart, played volleyball at Auburn.
High School: Three-year starter for head coach Bryan Edwards at St. Dominic Salvio Catholic High School…pitched and played third base, shortstop and first base…All-District selection in 2018 and 2019…2020 Perfect Game Preseason All-American.
I chose Texas because: "One of the reasons I chose the University of Texas is because of the coaching staff; in particular coach Phillip Miller because of the relationship he established at the beginning of the recruitment process. The coaches wanted to get to know me and form a good rapport. The University of Texas has a great reputation for their academics as well as their baseball. I will be receiving an excellent education while helping the team get to the College World Series and compete for a National Championship."
Allen on Stewart: "It's been a lot of fun watching Josh grow and develop over the last two years. He has turned himself into one of the best right-handed pitchers in the state. Has swing and miss stuff with very good command and will be ready to compete right away. It is going to be fun watching Josh develop while wearing the burnt orange."
Gage Wakefield | OF | R/R | 5-11 | 180 | Bullard, Texas | Bullard
Personal: Son of Matt and Monica Wakefield…has two siblings, Lauren Wakefield and Sarah Martinez…full name is Matthew Gage Wakefield.
High School: Three-year letterman for coach Brock Lemire at Bullard High School…All-State honorable mention outfielder and first team All-District in 2019…Offensive MVP as a junior in 2019 and Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star selection…Newcomer of the Year in 2018 and second team All-District third baseman in 2018…also lettered in track and was an area and regional qualifier on the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.
I chose Texas because: "I believe graduating from a university known for academic excellence, such as, the University of Texas is one of the most honorable accomplishments someone could achieve. I want to be a part of a baseball program under a great coaching staff, and a member of a baseball program that is consistently competitive on the national level."
Allen on Wakefield: "Gage is one of the better athletes and runners in the country. We always need outfielders that can run and defend. Gage will do that right away. He has very good hand-eye coordination and has started tapping into some power, which is very exciting."
Ace Whitehead | OF | L/L | 5-11 | 185 | Lampasas, Texas | Lampasas
Personal: Son of Kirk and Kenna Whitehead…has one sister, Raegan…full name is Asher Cade Whitehead.
High School: Three-year letterwinner as a center fielder and left-handed pitcher for head coach Chance Evans at Lampasas High School...named the district Offensive MVP and second team All-State player in 2019…2018 All-District Newcomer of the Year and honorable mention All-State…before the 2020 season was cut short, was hitting .527 and leading the team in runs, hits and stolen bases…2020 Five Tool Honorable Mention All-American playing for the DFW Twins…also a star at quarterback for Lampasas, named the AP 4A Offensive Player of the Year and TSWA Class 4A Offensive MVP & first Team QB… Austin American Statesman Male Athlete of the Year…compiled over 12,500 total yards and 170 touchdowns…also a medalist on the track and field team…an outstanding student, in the top 7% of his class and a member of the National Honor Society.
I chose Texas because: "Texas is and always will be home and I wanted to represent my state at the best university in this great state."
Allen on Whitehead: "There are a lot of very good athletes in this class and Ace is probably the best. This kid has won at everything he has done while at Lampasas High School. Ace has all the tools for an outfielder and I'm really excited to see Ace develop those tools as he starts playing baseball year-round next fall."
