Was everybody this big on Luke Gaffney

ROYBus10® · 2025-06-12T05:56:24.044Z

As they are about Ryan Wideman? First, I understand he’s a legacy. But people have show to be excited about his actual abilities. Gaffney was BIG10 freshman of the year, but I don’t remember as much “commotion” with Gaffney as I’m seeing with Wideman

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Re: I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.***

Jun 12, 2025, 8:50 AM [ in reply to I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.*** ]

Wideman had the slight edge, but he also played 7 more games than Gaffney did at Purdue. Looking at the numbers, there wasn't much difference between the two outside of stolen bases:

Ryan Wideman
AB: 244
Hits: 97
Doubles: 20
Triples: 6
HR: 10
RBI: 68
BB: 23
K: 47
SB: 45/57
AVG: 0.398
OBP: 0.466
SLG: 0.652
OPS: 1.118
wRC+: 146

Luke Gaffney, with projections to match ABs in parentheses
AB: 209 (244)
Hits: 75 (88)
Doubles: 15 (18)
Triples: 3 (4)
HR: 13 (15)
RBI: 64 (73)
BB: 29 (33)
K: 32 (37)
SB: 2/2 (3/3)
AVG: 0.359
OBP: 0.449
SLG: 0.646
OPS: 1.095
wRC+: 141

Gaffney was also a freshman, while Wideman was a junior, albeit different leagues. I think the hype around Wideman is mainly the legacy and being a top 10 transfer in the portal this year. Not to say he isn't worth the hype, but the numbers weren't too far off from Gaffney's. Wideman also plays a premium defensive position, whereas Gaffney was projected as a 1B, which is the most interchangeable position on defense. I think Gaffney got a lot of hate towards the end of the year, but he still ended up being as effective as Crighton, who has played three years in the ACC.

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That's my only gripe with the incoming class so far. The only major holes we had (in my opinion) were 3B/SS, and LF. I was hoping that Wentworth would get his shot in CF and McCladdie could take a spot in the infield, whether it be at 2B or 3B (depending on how Bakich views his arm). Castellani is another I was excited to see get some at bats; maybe Bakich will play him in the mid-weeks.

Don't get me wrong, the guys brought in so far look very good, but at this point, is it worth bringing in guys to start over promising young players who just need playing time? The roster still has to get whittled down, so that might be some of the reason. I think Wentworth still has a shot with Wideman likely going to the MLB, but with 2 or 3 (depending on where Clavon ends up) transfers in the outfield, it's going to be hard for him to see playing time out there. Crighton is another guy who might get boxed out, which is a shame because he has been here three years (and hopefully a fourth) and never got consistent at-bats until injuries occurred.

Was everybody this big on Luke Gaffney

Re: Was everybody this big on Luke Gaffney

Re: Was everybody this big on Luke Gaffney

I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.***

I should have added offensive numbers before arriving at Clemson.***

Re: I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.***

Re: I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.***

Re: I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.***

Re: I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.***

Re: I dont think Gaffney put up the same offensive numbers as Wideman.***

Re: Was everybody this big on Luke Gaffney

Re: Was everybody this big on Luke Gaffney

Re: Was everybody this big on Luke Gaffney

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