2024 / AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year
• NCBWA Second Team Freshman All-American (First Baseman)
• D1Baseball.com Second Team Freshman All-American (First Baseman)
• Baseball America Second Team Freshman All-American (First Baseman)
• Second Team All-Big Ten (First Baseman)
• Big Ten All-Freshman Team (First Baseman)
• Five-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 11, April 15, April 22)
• Just the second Boilermaker (and first position player) to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year
• Eclipsed six Purdue freshman records -- hits, home runs, RBI, total bases, slugging percentage, runs scored
• Tied the Purdue single-season record with 62 runs scored
2023 / REDSHIRT SEASON
• Did not see game action as a true freshman, opting to redshirt
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Adam Blair at Boyle County High School southwest of Lexington
• First-team all-state as a senior
• Broke the BCHS school record with 49 RBI as a junior
• Batted .462 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs and the 46 RBI in 33 games as a senior
• Batted .430 with 10 doubles, 7 home runs and the 49 RBI in 36 games as a junior
• Helped lead BCHS to a district title as a senior
• Kentucky’s No. 3-ranked catcher in the class of 2022 by Perfect Game
• Valedictorian of the class of 2022 at BCHS
• Four-year All A honor roll student
PERSONAL
• Major: Mechanical Engineering
• Full name is Robert Lukas Gaffney
• Born in Danville, Kentucky
• Parents are Jason and Tori Gaffney
• Family also includes older sister Grace, who is a goalkeeper for the soccer team at Morehead State
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Aaron Judge
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Jason (Dad)
Favorite Playoff Format: World Series
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Malcolm Gilchrist
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Jacob deGrom
Funniest Teammate: Parker Dean
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Couper Cornblum
Purdue Staff Member He’s Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Coach Rooney
In His Favorite Playlist: Luke Combs
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Tyler Childers
Favorite Multi-Media App: Disney Plus
Favorite TV Series: The Office
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: You Should Probably Leave
Favorite Video Game or System: Xbox, Rainbow Six Siege
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Dessert: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Co-Rec
Favorite Big City: New York City
Unique Travel Locale: New York City
Country He’d Like to Visit: Australia
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach, Mountains or Road Trip: Road Trip
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Corbin Malott - Bag of Cheetos
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: Scoreboard
Most Memorable Game/Moment at Purdue: Getting HBP in his first AB in the fall
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Winning district championship in his senior year
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: David Riesback (Philosophy)
Furry Friend: Sunny, Ginger cat
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year
• NCBWA Second Team Freshman All-American (First Baseman)
• D1Baseball.com Second Team Freshman All-American (First Baseman)
• Baseball America Second Team Freshman All-American (First Baseman)
• Second Team All-Big Ten (First Baseman)
• Big Ten All-Freshman Team (First Baseman)
• Five-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 11, April 15, April 22)
• Just the second Boilermaker (and first position player) to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year
• Eclipsed six Purdue freshman records -- hits, home runs, RBI, total bases, slugging percentage, runs scored
• Tied the Purdue single-season record with 62 runs scored
2023 / REDSHIRT SEASON
• Did not see game action as a true freshman, opting to redshirt
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Adam Blair at Boyle County High School southwest of Lexington
• First-team all-state as a senior
• Broke the BCHS school record with 49 RBI as a junior
• Batted .462 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs and the 46 RBI in 33 games as a senior
• Batted .430 with 10 doubles, 7 home runs and the 49 RBI in 36 games as a junior
• Helped lead BCHS to a district title as a senior
• Kentucky’s No. 3-ranked catcher in the class of 2022 by Perfect Game
• Valedictorian of the class of 2022 at BCHS
• Four-year All A honor roll student
PERSONAL
• Major: Mechanical Engineering
• Full name is Robert Lukas Gaffney
• Born in Danville, Kentucky
• Parents are Jason and Tori Gaffney
• Family also includes older sister Grace, who is a goalkeeper for the soccer team at Morehead State
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Aaron Judge
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Jason (Dad)
Favorite Playoff Format: World Series
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Malcolm Gilchrist
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Jacob deGrom
Funniest Teammate: Parker Dean
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Couper Cornblum
Purdue Staff Member He’s Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Coach Rooney
In His Favorite Playlist: Luke Combs
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Tyler Childers
Favorite Multi-Media App: Disney Plus
Favorite TV Series: The Office
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: You Should Probably Leave
Favorite Video Game or System: Xbox, Rainbow Six Siege
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Dessert: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Co-Rec
Favorite Big City: New York City
Unique Travel Locale: New York City
Country He’d Like to Visit: Australia
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach, Mountains or Road Trip: Road Trip
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Corbin Malott - Bag of Cheetos
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: Scoreboard
Most Memorable Game/Moment at Purdue: Getting HBP in his first AB in the fall
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Winning district championship in his senior year
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: David Riesback (Philosophy)
Furry Friend: Sunny, Ginger cat