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Could Luke Little Be Just What The Cubs Have Been Missing?

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Bobby Foster | Last updated 3/22/24

For the past couple of seasons, it seemed the Chicago Cubs lacked effective bullpen arms from the left side. Brandon Hughes looked to be the answer following the 2022 season, but injuries affected his Cubs' tenure, and is no longer with the organization.

Mark Leiter Jr. who is a right-handed reliever, has been the Cubs' left-handed specialist due to his effective numbers against that side of the plate. But there appears to be another intriguing option developing within the Cubs system in left-handed reliever Luke Little. A guy who seems to be overlooked among an already large crop of impressive Cubs pitching prospects.

Newly drafted Cubs prospect 6'8" lefty Luke Little was clocked throwing a 105 mph heater

(via @PitchingNinja)pic.twitter.com/5TfCeUqceY
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 12, 2020

The 23-year-old has some remarkable stats. In 7 appearances this spring, Little's 0.00 ERA is identical to what he posted in his callup to the big leagues in 2023. It will certainly be nearly impossible to top. But if Little can build off of this, then the Cubs may have found something special sitting in their minor league system.

As Little still sits in big league camp, the better it seems his chance will be to begin the season on the 26-man roster. He figures to join veteran Drew Smyly as the two left-handed options out of manager Craig Counsell's bullpen.

The Cubs' two lone major league acquisitions to their bullpen this offseason were both right-handers Yency Almonte and Hector Neris. There was certainly a good crop of veteran left-handers available this offseason but the club seems to have liked what they already had in-house.

As an organization, the Cubs have been able to make something out of nothing when it comes to the development of bullpen arms. Luke Little has a chance to be their next success story.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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