STANFORD -- Two-sport star Tyler Gaffney will skip his final year of football eligibility to pursue a professional baseball career, Stanford announced Monday.
He was a 24th round selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates in Junes MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Every athlete dreams of the opportunities that I have been afforded, first at Stanford, and now with Pittsburgh. Every day of the last three years has prepared me for the chance to compete professionally, and I cannot thank enough the coaches and professors who have worked with me," Gaffney said. "I am especially indebted to coach (Jim) Harbaugh and coach (Mark) Marquess for inviting me to join the Stanford family, and to coach (David) Shaw for continuing to allow me the opportunity to play the two sports I love. I look toward returning to Stanford during my off-season to complete my degree.
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I thank the Pittsburgh organization for providing me this opportunity and I am excited to begin my professional career."
Gaffney finished his junior season batting .245 with two home runs, 17 RBI and 48 runs scored in his 54 games, which included 30 starts in left field and 16 in center. He finished his three-year baseball career on The Farm with a .301 career average, eight home runs and 76 RBI.
As a member of the Cardinal backfield he rushed for 815 career yards in 156 attempts, including 12 touchdowns, in 35 football games from 2009-11.
Gaffney plans to return to Stanford to complete his degree in sociology.