Clemson Baseball lands Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Clemson's baseball program has made another significant addition through the transfer portal, securing a commitment from Luke Gaffney, a standout redshirt freshman from Purdue. Gaffney brings an impressive array of accolades and records, underscoring his potential to make an immediate impact for the Tigers.

Gaffney's redshirt freshman season at Purdue was nothing short of spectacular. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, becoming only the second Boilermaker and the first position player to earn this distinction. His accolades didn't stop there; he was also a NCBWA Second Team Freshman All-American and earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors as a first baseman. Additionally, Gaffney was a key member of the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

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His performance throughout the season was consistently top-notch, as evidenced by his five Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards (Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 11, April 15, April 22). Gaffney shattered six Purdue freshman records, setting new benchmarks for hits, home runs, RBI, total bases, slugging percentage, and runs scored. His 62 runs scored also tied Purdue's single-season record, highlighting his offensive prowess.

Standing at 6'2" and weighing 215 pounds, Gaffney offers versatility on the field, capable of playing both first base and catcher. Hailing from Danville, Virginia, he brings a competitive edge and a winning mindset to Clemson's roster.

Gaffney is Clemson's second transfer from the Big Ten this offseason, joining Michigan's Collin Priest, who committed to Erik Bakich’s program on June 22. With these additions, the Tigers are poised to bolster their lineup and make a strong push in the upcoming season.