Luke Little

Luke Little
Kansas City Royals
Pitcher
Born: (2000-08-30) August 30, 2000 (age 25)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 6, 2023, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through April 15, 2026)
Win–loss record3–1
Earned run average2.97
Strikeouts45
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Luke Justice Little (born August 30, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2023.

Amateur career

Little 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, soon becoming the first Pit Spitter alumnus to play in the majors.[1]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

The 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]

Little was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2025 season.[11] He made two appearances for Chicago during the regular season, recording a 3.38 ERA with four strikeouts across 2+2⁄3 innings pitched.

Little was again optioned to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2026 season.[12] He made one appearance for Chicago on April 15, 2026, allowing a home run to Bryce Harper as the Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 11–2. Little was designated for assignment by Chicago on August 3.[13]

Kansas City Royals

On August 6, 2026, Little was claimed off of waivers by the Kansas City Royals.[14]

References

  1. ^ Stone, Augusta (July 6, 2020). "North Carolina teen threw the 2nd fastest pitch in history". Carolina Coast Online. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Little Unit? Cubs draft 6-8 kid who can hurl 105". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  4. ^ "Cubs' Luke Little: Added to big league roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Wakai, Brad (April 3, 2024). "Chicago Cubs Pitcher Makes History Just by Stepping on Mound". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Little locks up first career Opening Day roster spot". MLB. April 3, 2024.
  7. ^ "Luke Little takes unique spot in Cubs history with start". NBC Chicago. April 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "Young pitchers shine in cold, but Cubs bullpen nearly ruins sweep of Rockies". Daily Herald. April 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "Cubs' Luke Little: Placed on injured list". CBSSports.com. July 13, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  10. ^ Deeds, Nick (July 22, 2024). "Luke Little Suffers "Likely" Season-Ending Lat Strain". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  11. ^ Altman, Evan (March 7, 2025). "Cubs Option Ethan Roberts, Luke Little as Spring Roster Reduced to 42 -". Cubs Insider. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  12. ^ "Cubs Option Little, Dean as Spring Roster Trimmed to 46". cubsinsider.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  13. ^ "Deadline Day DFAs: Rodríguez, Little". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  14. ^ "Royals Claim Luke Little". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.

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