One we’d probably like to have back. Little was one of two first round selections (27th overall) by the Cubs in the 2017 draft following the World Series season. Though regarded as an advanced, refined collegiate pitcher, Little toiled in the minor leagues, struggling with consistency and command, and never truly emerging as anything more than a footnote in the farm system. This lengthy minor league journey culminated in an unceremonious debut at the end of a forgettable 2022 season, throwing 0.2 IP and allowing 3 ER in an irrelevant game for a team poised for an October vacation.
Little would be DFA’d by the organization shortly after, but quickly scooped up by the Blue Jays, who were intrigued by his handedness and potential upside as a weapon out of the pen. After a replacement-level 2024, this investment has paid off substantially for Toronto. Little has blossomed into a durable high leverage reliever, appearing in a league-leading **79 games** with a 3.03 ERA to boot!
Little’s development serves as a testament to patience in pitching development.
Tommy Nance:
While Little comes from high pedigree, Nance’s story begins from total obscurity. An undrafted free agent from 2015, Nance played semi-professionally before his contract was purchased in the 2016 offseason to serve as minor league filler. For 5 seasons, Nance would battle injury and post middling results when healthy, though showcasing some intriguing stuff. But through slowly climbing the ladder and biding his time, Nance overcame the odds to make his major league debut at the age of 30 for the 2021 Cubs.
Nance flashed good stuff at times, but overall did not impress with a 7.22 ERA in 28.2 IP. He would be designated for assignment at the start of the 2022 season and catch on in Miami.
This began the career arc of his journeyman phase. A few injuries in a few more destinations summarize his next handful of seasons until July 11th, 2025, when the Blue Jays would select Nance’s contract from Triple-A. At the ripe age of 34, Nance would go on to complete the greatest stretch of a long up and down career, finishing the 2025 season with a minuscule 1.99 ERA in 31.2 innings out of the Toronto pen.
EDIT: Bonus ex-Cub: LA Dodgers pitching coach, Mark Prior.
Woof Brendan little
Cubs should not feel bad about Little at all. Plenty of guys have been much better than his one good MLB season. Bullpens are about volume and velocity. Churn and burn. Cubs are excellent at that. Waiting for a 26 year old reliever prospect with a 12% walk rate to break out is nuts.
3 comments
Brendon Little:
One we’d probably like to have back. Little was one of two first round selections (27th overall) by the Cubs in the 2017 draft following the World Series season. Though regarded as an advanced, refined collegiate pitcher, Little toiled in the minor leagues, struggling with consistency and command, and never truly emerging as anything more than a footnote in the farm system. This lengthy minor league journey culminated in an unceremonious debut at the end of a forgettable 2022 season, throwing 0.2 IP and allowing 3 ER in an irrelevant game for a team poised for an October vacation.
Little would be DFA’d by the organization shortly after, but quickly scooped up by the Blue Jays, who were intrigued by his handedness and potential upside as a weapon out of the pen. After a replacement-level 2024, this investment has paid off substantially for Toronto. Little has blossomed into a durable high leverage reliever, appearing in a league-leading **79 games** with a 3.03 ERA to boot!
Little’s development serves as a testament to patience in pitching development.
Tommy Nance:
While Little comes from high pedigree, Nance’s story begins from total obscurity. An undrafted free agent from 2015, Nance played semi-professionally before his contract was purchased in the 2016 offseason to serve as minor league filler. For 5 seasons, Nance would battle injury and post middling results when healthy, though showcasing some intriguing stuff. But through slowly climbing the ladder and biding his time, Nance overcame the odds to make his major league debut at the age of 30 for the 2021 Cubs.
Nance flashed good stuff at times, but overall did not impress with a 7.22 ERA in 28.2 IP. He would be designated for assignment at the start of the 2022 season and catch on in Miami.
This began the career arc of his journeyman phase. A few injuries in a few more destinations summarize his next handful of seasons until July 11th, 2025, when the Blue Jays would select Nance’s contract from Triple-A. At the ripe age of 34, Nance would go on to complete the greatest stretch of a long up and down career, finishing the 2025 season with a minuscule 1.99 ERA in 31.2 innings out of the Toronto pen.
EDIT: Bonus ex-Cub: LA Dodgers pitching coach, Mark Prior.
Woof Brendan little
Cubs should not feel bad about Little at all. Plenty of guys have been much better than his one good MLB season. Bullpens are about volume and velocity. Churn and burn. Cubs are excellent at that. Waiting for a 26 year old reliever prospect with a 12% walk rate to break out is nuts.