Luke Justice Little Bio
Luke Justice Little is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). The 6-foot-8 right-hander was born on August 30, 2000, and developed into one of the taller pitchers in Cubs franchise history. Little was selected by Chicago in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB draft and made his major league debut in September 2023. He has established himself as a promising young arm in the Cubs organization, showcasing a powerful repertoire that has generated significant strikeout numbers throughout his minor league career. Little notably became the first alumnus of the Traverse City Pit Spitters to reach the majors, marking an important milestone for that summer collegiate baseball program.
Early Life and Background
Luke Justice Little attended East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he began developing his skills as a baseball player. His impressive high school performance caught the attention of college programs, leading him to continue his baseball career at the junior college level. Little chose to play for San Jacinto College, a well-known baseball program that has produced numerous professional players. During his time at San Jacinto, he refined his pitching mechanics and gained valuable experience against collegiate competition.
Little also spent a summer playing collegiate baseball for the Traverse City Pit Spitters in the Northwoods League. This experience proved significant as he became the first Pit Spitter alumnus to eventually reach Major League Baseball, setting a precedent for future players from that program. The Northwoods League provided Little with additional development opportunities and exposed him to playing in front of scouts from MLB organizations.
Path to Professional Baseball
Little’s strong performances at San Jacinto College and with the Traverse City Pit Spitters positioned him well for the 2020 MLB Draft. The Chicago Cubs selected him in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick, adding him to their farm system. The selection represented a significant step in his journey from high school player in North Carolina to professional baseball. The Cubs identified Little’s potential as a tall pitcher with projectable stuff and upside for development.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 minor league season was canceled, meaning Little did not appear in any professional games that year. This delay pushed the start of his professional career to the 2021 season. He made his professional debut that year with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs, beginning his ascent through the Cubs organization. The extra time allowed his arm to develop and his frame to mature, which proved beneficial for his long-term progression.
Luke Justice Little Career
Minor League Development (2021–2023)
Little began his professional career in earnest during the 2021 season with the Arizona Complex League Cubs. This rookie-level assignment allowed him to experience professional competition for the first time while continuing to develop his pitch repertoire. The following season in 2022, he advanced to Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans and later earned a promotion to High-A South Bend Cubs. These assignments demonstrated the Cubs’ commitment to his gradual development within their minor league system.
The 2023 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Little as he dominated across three different levels. He appeared in 36 total games between South Bend (High-A), the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, and Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Across these assignments, he compiled an impressive 5-2 record with a 2.12 earned run average and 105 strikeouts in just 63 and two-thirds innings. This dominant performance made it clear that Little was ready for major league competition and forced the Cubs’ hand regarding a promotion.
MLB Debut and 2023 Season
On September 6, 2023, Little was selected to the Chicago Cubs 40-man roster and promoted to the majors for the first time in his career. Upon reaching the major leagues, the 6-foot-8 Little tied a notable franchise record. He became tied with Chris Volstad from the 2012 season for being the tallest starting pitcher in Chicago Cubs history. His imposing height gives him a natural advantage in terms of the angle his pitches descend toward the plate, making him a difficult pitcher to hit.
During the remainder of the 2023 regular season, Little appeared in seven games for the Cubs. He performed exceptionally well in this limited sample, allowing no runs and just five hits over six and two-thirds innings of work. This strong introduction to major league hitting gave the Cubs confidence in his ability to contribute at the highest level. His performance suggested he could be a valuable piece of the Cubs’ pitching staff moving forward.
Chicago Cubs Era (2024–Present)
Little earned a spot in the Cubs’ 2024 opening-day bullpen, representing a significant step in his major league career. He began the season working as a relief pitcher, but the team gave him his first career start on April 3, 2024, against the Colorado Rockies. In that game, Little threw one inning, recording one strikeout while allowing no earned runs in a Cubs victory. This versatility to work both as a starter and reliever increased his value to the organization.
Throughout the 2024 season, Little made 30 appearances for Chicago, compiling a 3.46 earned run average with 28 strikeouts across 26 innings pitched. However, his season was interrupted when he was placed on the injured list on July 13 with a left shoulder strain. The injury proved more serious than initially anticipated, leading the Cubs to transfer him to the 60-day injured list on July 22 with what was described as a likely season-ending lat strain. This injury ended his 2024 campaign prematurely and required significant rehabilitation during the offseason.
Little began the 2025 season with Triple-A Iowa after being optioned down at the start of the year. He made two appearances for the Chicago Cubs during the regular season, recording a 3.38 earned run average with four strikeouts across two and two-thirds innings. The Cubs continued to evaluate his progress as he worked his way back from the previous year’s injury. His statistics through the 2025 season show a career win-loss record of 3-1 with a 2.80 earned run average and 44 total strikeouts in the major leagues.
Pitching Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 8 inches tall, Luke Little possesses exceptional height for a pitcher, which creates a steep downhill plane toward the plate that hitters must contend with. His stature allows him to generate difficult angles that can cause batted balls to produce weak contact. Little has demonstrated the ability to work both as a starting pitcher and out of the bullpen, providing the Cubs with roster flexibility. His minor league numbers, particularly his high strikeout totals relative to innings pitched, indicate a pitcher with swing-and-miss stuff.
Notable Milestones
Little’s journey to the majors included becoming the first Traverse City Pit Spitters alumnus to reach Major League Baseball, a significant achievement for that summer collegiate program. His tie with Chris Volstad for the tallest starting pitcher in Cubs franchise history highlighted his unique physical presence on the mound. The 2023 mid-season promotion through three minor league levels in the same year demonstrated his rapid development and readiness for major league competition.
Luke Justice Little Career Statistics
Through the 2025 MLB season, Little has established himself as an effective pitcher at the major league level with a winning record and solid earned run average. His career totals reflect his ability to miss bats and limit opposing hitters. The statistics span his time with the Chicago Cubs from 2023 through 2025.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Little’s MLB career includes appearances spanning the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons with the Chicago Cubs. His career win-loss record stands at 3-1, indicating success when given the opportunity to pitch in winning situations. His career earned run average of 2.80 demonstrates his ability to limit opposing teams’ scoring. He has accumulated 44 career strikeouts across his major league appearances, showing the swing-and-miss capability that made him a notable prospect in the Cubs system.
Minor League Achievements
Prior to his major league career, Little posted impressive numbers in the minor leagues. His 2023 season at Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Tennessee was particularly noteworthy, as he compiled a 5-2 record with a 2.12 earned run average and 105 strikeouts in 63 and two-thirds innings. This dominant performance across multiple levels earned him his first major league call-up and validated the Cubs’ investment in him during the 2020 draft.
| Competition Level | Games | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball (Career) | 39 | 3 | 1 | 2.80 | 44 |
| Minor League Baseball (2023) | 36 | 5 | 2 | 2.12 | 105 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of continued recovery and adjustment for Luke Little following his injury-shortened 2024 campaign. After beginning the season with Triple-A Iowa, he received two call-ups to the major league roster during the regular season. His performance in those appearances showed he was rounding back into form, as he recorded a 3.38 earned run average across his brief MLB stint. The Cubs managed his workload carefully throughout the season as they evaluated his readiness for a full-time major league role.
Little’s two appearances for Chicago during 2025 resulted in four strikeouts across two and two-thirds innings, suggesting his stuff remained effective. The organization continued to value his combination of size, stuff, and versatility as they planned for future seasons. His ability to contribute in multiple roles made him an important depth piece for the Cubs’ pitching staff. The experience gained in 2025 should benefit Little as he competes for a larger role in the Cubs’ bullpen or rotation in subsequent seasons.