The rivals will now become teammates as both players have been assigned to the Quakes, reporting in time to suit up for this evening’s contest against the Inland Empire 66ers in San Bernardino.
LaRue, 27, was undrafted after finishing his collegiate career at Washington State University. The Laguna Niguel native began his professional career with the independent Southeastern League before hooking on with the Golden Baseball League at a December 2004 tryout.
His first year in Long Beach he was runner-up for the GBL rookie of the year award as he hit .252 with 5 home runs and 45 RBIs in 78 games. Last season he emerged as an offensive force as he finished in the top five in most offensive categories and then was loaned to Brockton of the Can-Am League late in the season where he hit .320 and was key in their run to the Championship Series. This year he has continued his assault on GBL pitching as he has hit .342 with 6 home runs and 24 RBIs in 30 games and has already received a Player of the Week Award. This will be Jeff's first opportunity to test his skills in a major league organization.
McRobbie, 24, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 24th round of the 2005 amateur draft out of the University of California - Santa Barbara.
The San Rafael, CA native played one season with the Pulaski Blue Jays of the Appalachian League where he posted a 4-3 record and led the league in starts. Released by the Blue Jays, he joined the Orange County Flyers this year and moved right into their rotation as one of the top starters on a team that reached the GBL Championship Series last year. In six starts this year he has a record of 3-0 with an ERA of 2.70 including two complete games while striking out 43 and only walking nine in 40 innings pitched.