Brendon David Little Bio
Brendon David Little (born August 11, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs. Little was selected by Chicago in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in August 2022. He was traded to Toronto in November 2023 and has become a reliable option in the Blue Jays bullpen.
Early Life and Background
Little is a native of Pennsylvania who graduated from Conestoga High School in 2015. While in high school, he established himself as a promising pitching prospect in the Philadelphia area. His success on the mound earned him attention from professional scouts, leading to his selection in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Despite being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 36th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Little chose to decline the offer and pursue his education. He enrolled at the University of North Carolina to play college baseball for the Tar Heels. However, after appearing in only four games as a freshman during the 2016 season, he made the decision to transfer to the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota to continue his baseball career.
In 2016, Little played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He demonstrated his potential by being named a league all-star that summer. Returning for his sophomore season in 2017, he posted a 5-3 record with a 2.53 earned run average across 15 starts. His performance attracted significant attention and solidified his status as a top prospect heading into the 2017 MLB Draft.
Brendon David Little Career
Chicago Cubs Organization (2017-2023)
Little was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He signed with the organization and was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League. In his first professional season, he struggled to find his footing, compiling a 0-2 record with a 9.37 earned run average in six starts.
He spent the 2018 season with the Single-A South Bend Cubs, where he made 22 appearances including 21 starts. He finished with a 5-11 record and a 5.15 earned run average. The following year, Little began with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on the injured list before returning to South Bend. He was later promoted back to Myrtle Beach, where he compiled a 1.91 earned run average over six starts and went 2-1 with a 5.95 earned run average in four starts with the Pelicans.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Little without a season to develop. In 2021, he transitioned to a relief role with the Tennessee Smokies and Iowa Cubs. He found success in this new capacity, recording a 3.24 earned run average across 26 appearances with 53 strikeouts.
Major League Debut and Cubs Tenure
On August 30, 2022, the Cubs selected Little’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that same day against the Toronto Blue Jays. However, his time on the active roster was brief, as he was removed from the 40-man roster and returned to Triple-A Iowa just two days later on September 1, 2022.
In 2023, Little spent the entire season with Triple-A Iowa. He made 50 appearances, registering a 4.05 earned run average with 73 strikeouts across 73 and one-third innings of work. His consistency in the minors kept him in the Cubs organization plans, but he would soon be on the move.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2024-Present)
On November 6, 2023, Little was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. He was subsequently added to the team’s 40-man roster. To begin the 2024 season, he was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to continue his development.
On June 1, 2024, the Blue Jays selected Little’s contract and added him to their active roster when Jordan Romano was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. In the 2024 season with Toronto, Little went 1-2 with a 3.74 earned run average while striking out 36 batters in 45 and two-thirds innings of work. He appeared in 39 games for the Blue Jays that season.
Notable Events and Milestones
On October 27, 2025, Little surrendered the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 18th inning of Game 3 of the 2025 World Series to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. The dramatic long ball sealed a heartbreaking extra-inning victory for the Dodgers during the championship series.
Brendon David Little Career Statistics
Little has appeared in 60 major league games across parts of three seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. Through June 19, 2026, he has compiled a 5-7 win-loss record with a 4.45 earned run average and 134 strikeouts at the major league level. His journey from first-round draft pick to MLB contributor represents a steady progression through the minor leagues before establishing himself as a major league pitcher.
Conestoga High School and Amateur Career
Little graduated from Conestoga High School in 2015, establishing himself as one of the top high school pitchers in Pennsylvania during his time there. His amateur career included standout performances that led to his selection in the 2015 MLB Draft prior to his college commitment. The decision to attend college rather than sign professionally proved beneficial, as he developed into a first-round prospect by 2017.
His time in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Bourne Braves in 2016 served as a crucial stepping stone. Facing elite collegiate competition during the summer months accelerated his development and exposure to professional scouts. The league all-star recognition validated his standing among the top amateur pitchers in the country.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a significant year in Little’s career as he secured a regular role in the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen. He contributed meaningfully to the team’s relief corps throughout the regular season, appearing in numerous high-leverage situations. His ability to handle multiple innings and various defensive assignments made him a valuable asset to the pitching staff.
The Blue Jays qualified for the postseason, and Little played a key role in their playoff run that led them to the World Series. His most memorable moment came in Game 3 of the Fall Classic when he pitched into extra innings. The walk-off home run to Freeman was a difficult conclusion to an otherwise solid season. Little will look to bounce back from that experience and continue developing as a major league pitcher in subsequent seasons.