Former Bridge City standout Chase Shugart, who was selected by the Boston Red Sox during the 12th round of the MLB draft, has decided to skip his final year of eligibility at Texas.

After thanking Longhorns fans, coaches and teammates, Shugart said via Twitter Friday, “it is time for me to hang up the burnt orange and start my career in the Boston Red Sox organization.”

Shugart started his career at Texas as a reliever but morphed into the No. 2 starter this season. He finished with a 5-3 record, posting an ERA of 4.36. Shugart struck out 58 batters while walking 35 in 84 2/3 innings.

The junior joins a trio of Longhorns pitchers who have decided against returning to Texas for a final season. Nolan Kingham will join the Atlanta Braves organization while Andy McGuire heads to the Toronto Blue Jaysorganization. Parker Joe Robinson finished his degree.

“You have all made it special and these are the memories I will tell my kids about,” ended Shugart’s message on Twitter.

His full messgae on twitter was: Longhorn Nation, I do not know where to even begin. The countless memories, friendships, and the continuous support. I cannot thank ya’ll enough. To my coaches, thank you for all believing in me and pushing me every time we stepped onto the field. You four are bringing the tradition and atmosphere back to the Disch that has been missing for some time and we all felt it. It’s very special and I was blessed to be a part of it. Tom my teammates, my brothers, my family, I was blessed enough to go to war with each and every one of you day in a day out, I wouldn’t trade these last three years for anything in the world. I love every single one of ya’ll.

With all of this being said, it is time for me to hang up the burnt orange and start my career with the Boston Red Sox organization. Once again, thanks to everyone who was ever a part of my three years on the Forty Acres. You have all made it special and these are the memories I will tell my kids about. 24, signing off.

Hook’em.

Following a quick departure from the College World Series, Texas Longhorns baseball players got down to negotiating contracts with the major league teams that drafted them and three have already announced their respective departures.

First, it was Andy McGuire, who mostly pitched for the Longhorns in 2018, but was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays as an infielder,

Then it was starting pitcher Nolan Kingham later on Thursday,

Second baseman Kody Clemens and reliever Josh Sawyer are also expected to announce deals in the near future.

In addition, signee Simeon Woods-Richardson, a pitcher, previously announced his signing with the Mets, but neither of the other two high school draftees are expected to skip college — pitcher Ty Madden and outfielder Korey Holland.