The Chicago Cubs have designated left-handed pitcher Luke Little for assignment, ending the 2020 draft pick’s time in the organization for the time being.
Little, who was taken in the fourth round by the Cubs, was already having a brutal 2026 season, as he was demoted to Double-A back in June. Now, as the trade deadline has passed, the Cubs have let him go to make room on the 40-man roster after the team’s trade with the New York Mets was officially processed.
Little only made one relief appearance with the Cubs in 2026, but his issues finding the strike zone have persisted, and that’s ultimately what has hindered his opportunities in the big leagues.
In 15.2 innings since he was sent down to Double-A, Little recorded a 4.02 ERA with 11 walks. Overall in 2026, Little had an 18% walk rate between Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Knoxville. The walks were a problem in the big leagues as well, sitting at 17.6% in 36.1 innings.
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If it were a series of injuries, then it would be more palatable to take in the downfall of Chicago Cubs pitcher Luke Little. We’re talking about a guy who had the most imposing presence on the mound in years for the Cubs. A guy who, at 6-foot-8, throwing in the upper 90s from the left side, had all the makings of a dominant reliever, if not the next Cubs closer for a decade. Instead, the 25-year-old, who did pitch in the big leagues in 2026, has been demoted to Double-A.
Little was taken in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, and by the 2023 season, the Cubs made the decision to transition the left-handed pitcher into a bullpen arm. He was dominant in the minor leagues, ultimately earning a big-league promotion in September after recording a 2.12 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 63.2 innings across three levels in Chicago’s farm system.
The hard-throwing lefty secured an Opening Day roster spot in 2024, and for most of the year, it appeared as though Little had arrived as a legit, big-league reliever. He was optioned at the end of April, following a blowup against the Boston Red Sox in which Little gave up five runs while only getting two outs. He returned a few weeks later, and from May 15 through July 12, the rookie posted a 1.59 ERA with a 29.4 K% rate in 17 innings of work.
The walks were still an issue, but Little was effective. That was until a shoulder strain against the St. Louis Cardinals a few days before the All-Star break ended his 2024 season. Little was limited in 2025, as he recovered from the shoulder injury, but it seemed like the pitcher was back to good health in 2026.
Unfortunately, it seems like the Cubs may be close to the end with Little. He has one minor league option year remaining, which means if the Cubs want to retain him, then he must be on the active roster in 2027. he was recently demoted to Double-A, and this could either be the organization kicking him out of their future plans completely, or potentially giving Little one last lifeline with specialized coaching.
Prior to Sunday’s scoreless inning, Little had a 5.70 ERA in 23.2 innings with the Iowa Cubs. In 17 appearances, Little struck out 25 batters, but he also walked 23, hit six more, and unleashed three wild pitches.
Little was briefly called up by the Cubs back in April, when the team was derailed by pitching injuries. He didn’t last long, going back to Triple-A after one outing in an 11-2 win by the Cubs.
The Cubs have not consistently gotten value from their pitching draft picks, which has put the organization at a disadvantage in the pitching department for years. This could be yet another failure with Luke Little, who may not have much more time in the Cubs’ organization if he can’t figure things out quickly.
