The Chicago Cubs have traded former first round pick Brendon Little to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash. Little, now 27-years-old, was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. The left-handed pitcher only made one appearance in the majors with the Cubs, making his MLB debut on Aug. 30, 2022, against the Blue Jays.
Following 2020, when the minor league season was canceled, Little was moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen. The left-hander has been up at Triple-A since late August of 2021.
During the 2023 season, Little made 50 appearances with the Iowa Cubs. He had decent numbers when you consider the overall, high-scoring league, as Little recorded a 4.05 ERA, while striking out 73 batters in 73.1 innings. He did give up his fair share of walks, averaging more than 4 BB per 9 innings pitched.
Unfortunately for Little, his time with the Cubs will mostly be remembered as one of many drafted pitchers that were not able to break through in the big leagues under Theo Epstein’s reign as president of baseball operations. Overall in his minor league career, Little has a 4.50 ERA in 338.1 innings. Since the COVID-canceled season, Little has been solid in the farm system, recording a 3.92 ERA with 175 strikeouts in 165.1 innings.
Maybe a change of scenery and some new voices in Toronto will be able to help Little finally take that next step forward that he wasn’t able to do during his time with the Cubs.
