Brendon 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). The left-hander made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Chicago Cubs before joining Toronto via trade in November 2023. He wears jersey number 54 for the Blue Jays and serves as a member of the team’s pitching staff.
Early Life and Background
Brendon David Little was born on August 11, 1996, and grew up in the United States, where he attended Conestoga High School, graduating in 2015. As a prep pitcher, he drew the attention of professional scouts and was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 36th round of the 2015 MLB draft. Despite the early selection, Little opted against signing a professional contract at that stage of his development.
Instead of beginning his pro career, Little chose to continue his education and baseball training at the University of North Carolina, where he appeared in only four games as a freshman in 2016. Seeking more playing time, he transferred to the State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota, a program well known for developing collegiate talent. During the summer of 2016, he joined the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League and earned all-star recognition in the prestigious wooden-bat circuit.
Path to Professional Baseball
Little returned to State College of Florida for his sophomore season in 2017 and turned in a strong campaign, going 5–3 with a 2.53 ERA in 15 starts. His performance that spring convinced scouts he was ready for the next step, and he re-entered the draft after his sophomore year. On the strength of that sophomore season, the Chicago Cubs selected him in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft.
After signing with the Cubs organization, Little was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds, the club’s short-season affiliate, where he worked to refine his craft in his first professional summer. His progression through the minor leagues reflected the typical development path of a high-draft college arm, with stints at multiple levels before eventually reaching the majors.
Brendon Little Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Little began his professional career with the Eugene Emeralds in 2017, going 0–2 with a 9.37 ERA in six starts as he adjusted to professional hitters. He spent the 2018 season with the South Bend Cubs, posting a 5–11 record with a 5.15 ERA across 22 games and 21 starts, logging heavy innings as a developing starter in the Midwest League.
The 2019 season saw Little bounce between levels while dealing with an early injury. He began the year with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on the injured list, returned to South Bend after activation, and finished back with Myrtle Beach. Across six starts at South Bend he posted a sharp 1.91 ERA, and over four starts with the Pelicans he went 2–1 with a 5.95 ERA, showing flashes of the pitcher the Cubs had drafted in the first round.
Chicago Cubs Era (2020–2023)
Little did not appear in a minor league game in 2020 after the cancellation of the season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Cubs transitioned him into a relief role, and he responded well, pitching for the Tennessee Smokies and the Iowa Cubs and posting a 3.24 ERA with 53 strikeouts across 26 games. The conversion to the bullpen appeared to suit his skill set and accelerated his path toward the majors.
On August 30, 2022, the Cubs selected Little’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. That same day he made his MLB debut, pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was removed from the 40-man roster on September 1 and returned to Triple-A Iowa. In 2023, he spent the full season at Iowa, making 50 appearances and registering a 4.05 ERA with 73 strikeouts in just over 73 innings of work.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2024–Present)
On November 6, 2023, Little was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations and was added to the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster. He was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the 2024 season. On June 1, 2024, Toronto selected his contract and added him to the active roster when closer Jordan Romano was placed on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his right elbow.
During the 2024 season, Little posted a 1–2 record with a 3.74 ERA and struck out 36 batters across 45⅔ innings, establishing himself as a reliable left-handed option in the Toronto bullpen. On October 27, 2025, he entered one of the most memorable moments of his career when he surrendered the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 18th inning of Game 3 of the 2025 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman. He began the 2026 season with the Blue Jays before being optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on April 5, 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
Little’s MLB debut came on August 30, 2022, against the Toronto Blue Jays, the same franchise he would later represent. He appeared in the 2025 World Series with the Blue Jays, taking the ball in a marathon Game 3 that stretched to 18 innings, a moment that cemented his place on one of baseball’s biggest stages.
Brendon Little Career Stats
Through his first several MLB seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays, Brendon David Little has built a resume as a left-handed relief pitcher with strikeout capability. His major league totals include time in both leagues and a presence in high-leverage post innings, including a World Series appearance in 2025.
MLB Highlights
Little’s first MLB appearance came on August 30, 2022, against the Toronto Blue Jays while pitching for the Chicago Cubs. He earned his first full MLB extended look in 2024 with the Blue Jays, going 1–2 with a 3.74 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 45⅔ innings, and he has continued to handle late-inning assignments in subsequent seasons.
Brendon Little Family
Personal Life
Brendon David Little is an American professional baseball pitcher. Public details about his immediate family and personal life have not been widely documented beyond his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
Little’s 2025 campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays placed him on one of the sport’s grandest stages. He appeared in the postseason and took the mound in Game 3 of the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a game that extended to 18 innings and ended when he surrendered the game-winning home run to Freddie Freeman. The appearance reflected his growing role in the Toronto bullpen during a deep playoff run.
Heading into 2026, Little was part of the Blue Jays’ major league staff but struggled early, beginning the year 0–2 with a 24.55 ERA while allowing three home runs, including a grand slam. On April 5, 2026, he was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to work through the rough start and continue his development as a left-handed relief option for Toronto.
