An analysis of Brendon Little's 2023 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, his role in the bullpen, his performance against both left-handed and right-handed hitters, and his outlook for the 2024 season.
Brendon Little , a 28-year-old left-handed relief pitcher , joined the Toronto Blue Jays from the Chicago Cubs in November 2023 for a nominal fee. Little, a first-round draft pick by the Cubs in 2017 (just before the Blue Jays selected Nate Pearson, who now plays for the Cubs), had only faced six major league batters prior to the 2023 season. However, the Blue Jays called him up on April 25th, 2023, and he went on to appear in 49 games, posting a 3.74 ERA. Over 45.
2 innings pitched, Little allowed 41 hits, 7 home runs, 19 walks, and 36 strikeouts. Opponents batted .238/.318/.390 against him, with significantly better results against left-handed hitters (.202/.280/.238) compared to right-handed hitters (.273/.354/.534). This stark contrast highlights the changing landscape for left-handed relief pitchers. Little faced 100 right-handed batters and 93 left-handed batters, demonstrating the increased emphasis on versatility in the modern bullpen. While he excelled against left-handed hitters, Little faced 100 right-handed batters and 93 left-handed batters, illustrating the shift towards a more multi-faceted approach for relievers.The Blue Jays utilized Little primarily in high-leverage situations, especially early in the season. The team's record in games he pitched was 19-30. As the season progressed, he transitioned into a more prominent setup role, likely due to inconsistencies within the bullpen. Little finished the season with seven holds and a save. While control had been a previous concern, he walked 7.09% of batters in 2023 (still above ideal, but an improvement from his minor league performance). His strikeout rate stood at 18.7%, and he exhibited an extreme ground ball tendency, inducing ground balls on 70.9% of batted balls. The presence of Andrés Giménez at second base should further benefit Little's effectiveness. Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Little faces some competition for the left-handed relief role from Josh Walker, who is also on the 40-man roster, along with Easton Lucas and Adam Macko. Additionally, the Blue Jays have signed a few minor league contracts with invitations to spring training: Richard Lovelady and Eric Lauer. However, Little appears to be the frontrunner for the role heading into spring training. He has two option years remaining, meaning he could potentially shuttle between the major league and minor league levels this season. Projections from Steamer anticipate Little pitching in 58 games, covering 58 innings with a 3.60 ERA
Brendon Little Toronto Blue Jays Relief Pitcher Bullpen 2024 Prospects Lefty Specialist
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