HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 4, 2019)  – Stevens Institute of Technology baseball alumnus Robert Robbins has signed a minor league free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs, it was announced today.

It will be the fourth straight year as a professional for the Tallahassee, Florida native, but the first with an affiliated team. Robbins previously spent parts of three seasons in the Frontier League and was most recently with Windy City last June. Over his three-year minor league career, Robbins is 0-1, with a 5.61 ERA, but the 24-year old right-handed pitcher has struck out 21 over 25 2-3 innings. Robbins has also spent time at the Driveline Baseball Training Facility in Kent, Washington working on his craft.

"It's been an extremely long journey," Robbins said. "I'm incredibly happy at the improvement I've made [over] the last three years."

"I've learned a lot about myself," he continued. "I'm excited to prove myself at this next level. In addition, I'm proud to represent my alma mater and Division III players around the country."

Robbins appeared in 43 games during his four seasons on Castle Point, drawing 35 starts. He totaled 18 victories with 198 strikeouts over 188 2-3 innings and ranks among the program's all-time top-10 in innings pitched, wins, strikeouts and earned-run average. Robbins was named Third Team All-New York Region by d3baseball.com in 2015 and was a two-time New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association (NJCBA) All-Star. A two-time Honorable Mention All-Empire 8 Conference performer, Robbins was selected to the league's First Team in his senior season.

"This is a great story," offered head baseball coach Kristaps Aldins. "Robert is a fantastic person and we couldn't be happier for him. His relentless pursuit of realizing this goal is something truly inspiring. He has certainly had his ups and downs over the past few years, just like all of us do in our various careers. But Robert's unwillingness to give up is a great lesson and motivator for anyone out there chasing their dreams. This accomplishment is something that all of our baseball student-athletes, alumni, fans and the entire Stevens community can celebrate."

Robbins is believed to be one of seven Ducks to play professional baseball and he will become the fourth to spend time with an affiliated team. Stevens Athletics Hall of Famer David Garcia spent seven seasons in the minors, reaching as high as Double-A with both the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals organizations. Robbins' teammate Jayson Yano also spent one season in the Frontier League, appearing in four games with Windy City in 2016. 

Additionally, Andrew Matthews played four seasons of minor league baseball with the organizational affiliates of both the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers organizations. 

Then-junior Charles Ruegger became the second player in program history to be selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft after the New York Yankees made the Morris Plains, New Jersey native their 33rd round selection. Ruegger reported to New York's team in the Gulf Coast League and fanned seven over 9 2-3 innings with a pair of saves.

Finally, Quinn DiPasquale turned professional after graduation last summer and spent time in both the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball and the Frontier League.

Alumnus Tom Phillips is the lone Duck to play internationally, signing with the Fussen Royal Bavarians in Germany after exhausting his collegiate eligibility. 

Robbins is expected to report to the Cubs' Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona.

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