Luke Justice Little (born August 30, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2023.
| Luke Little | |
|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs – No. 43 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 30, 2000 Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 6, 2023, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics (through July 3, 2024) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–1 |
| Earned run average | 2.87 |
| Strikeouts | 39 |
| Teams | |
| |
Amateur career
editLittle attended East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina and played college baseball at San Jacinto College. He played collegiate summer baseball for the Traverse City Pit Spitters in the Northwoods League.[1]
Professional career
editThe Chicago Cubs drafted Little in the fourth round, with the 117th overall selection, of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] Little made his professional debut in 2021 with the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Cubs. He spent 2022 with the Single–A Myrtle Beach Pelicans and High–A South Bend Cubs.
In 36 appearances in 2023 with South Bend, the Double–A Tennessee Smokies and Triple–A Iowa Cubs, Little accumulated a 5–2 record and 2.12 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 63+2⁄3 innings pitched. On September 6, 2023, Little was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[4] Upon making the majors, the 6'8" Little tied the record with Chris Volstad from the 2012 season for being the tallest starting pitcher in Chicago Cubs history. In the 2023 season he pitched in seven games, allowing no runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings.[5]
Little was named a part of the Cubs' 2024 opening-day bullpen before the season began.[6] On April 3, 2024, Little made his first start, throwing one strikeout with no earned runs in one inning a win against the Colorado Rockies.[7][8] In 30 appearances for Chicago, he compiled a 3.46 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 26 innings pitched. Little was placed on the injured list with a left shoulder strain on July 13.[9] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on July 22, with what was described as a "likely" season–ending lat strain.[10]
References
edit- ^ STONE, AUGUSTA (July 6, 2020). "North Carolina teen threw the 2nd fastest pitch in history". Carolina Coast Online. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Little Unit? Cubs draft 6-8 kid who can hurl 105". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "Cubs' Luke Little: Added to big league roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ Wakai, Brad. "Chicago Cubs Pitcher Makes History Just by Stepping on Mound". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "Little locks up first career Opening Day roster spot". MLB. April 3, 2024.
- ^ "Luke Little takes unique spot in Cubs history with start". NBC Chicago. April 3, 2024.
- ^ "Young pitchers shine in cold, but Cubs bullpen nearly ruins sweep of Rockies". Daily Herald. April 3, 2024.
- ^ "Cubs' Luke Little: Placed on injured list". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "Luke Little Suffers "Likely" Season-Ending Lat Strain". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)