Brendon Little: Reinvention and the Quest for High Leverage
Brendon Little’s journey with the Blue Jays has been a fascinating one. Acquired from the Cubs in November 2023 with minimal major league experience, the left-handed reliever quickly became a key part of the bullpen. But a tale of two halves in 2025, coupled with playoff struggles, leaves the question: can he reclaim his high-leverage role?
From Groundball Machine to Pitch Mix Master
Initially, the appeal of Little was simple: he induced ground balls – and lots of them. The Jays, boasting a strong infield defense, saw a perfect match. In 2024, he posted a remarkable 70.9% ground ball rate. While that number dipped to 59.0% in 2025, it remained impressively high. But, success wasn’t solely about putting the ball in play. Little’s strikeout rate jumped significantly from 18.7% in 2024 to 30.8% in 2025. This improvement came with a caveat: his walk rate also increased, climbing from 9.8% to 15.3%.
The Tale of Two Halves and a Playoff Hiccup
The 2025 season highlighted a clear trend. Little dominated in the first half, posting a 2.03 ERA over 44.1 innings. The second half saw a stark contrast, with his ERA ballooning to 4.88 over 24 innings. The playoffs didn’t offer redemption; he surrendered two home runs, mirroring the number he allowed during the entire regular season.
Addressing the Fatigue Factor
Interestingly, Little recently revealed a potential cause for his second-half struggles. In a recent article in The Athletic, he explained that he may have been overdoing his warm-up routine, leading to fatigue as the season progressed. He described warming up multiple times before entering games, potentially depleting his energy reserves. His plan for 2026 involves a more measured approach, warming up at “80%” before entering games and “70%” before games.
Expanding the Arsenal
Little isn’t just adjusting his conditioning; he’s also refining his pitch repertoire. He intends to add a slider and a “tweaked” four-seam fastball to his existing arsenal of a knuckle curve (thrown 46% of the time in 2025) and a sinker (45.6%). The reliance on his knuckle curve, particularly when batters realized it was consistently thrown below the strike zone, became a vulnerability. Adding new pitches aims to keep hitters off balance and prevent predictability.
What Does This Mean for 2026?
The Blue Jays’ bullpen situation further strengthens Little’s chances of securing a high-leverage role. With only he and Mason Fluharty currently designated as left-handed relief options on the 40-man roster (though Eric Lauer may also factor in), his value is undeniable. Steamer projections forecast 54 games pitched with a 3.41 ERA and 10 holds, building on his team-leading 30 holds from the previous season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Brendon Little’s primary strength?
A: His ability to generate ground balls, even if that rate decreased slightly in 2025.
Q: What was Little’s biggest weakness in 2025?
A: His walk rate, which ranked in the 1st percentile.
Q: What changes is Little making for the 2026 season?
A: He’s adjusting his warm-up routine to avoid fatigue and adding a slider and tweaked fastball to his pitch mix.
Q: Is Little guaranteed a spot in the Blue Jays’ high-leverage bullpen?
A: While not guaranteed, his current role on the 40-man roster and the team’s limited left-handed relief options make it likely.
Did you know? Brendon Little’s 2025 whiff rate placed him in the 100th percentile, showcasing his ability to generate swings and misses.
Pro Tip: Monitoring Little’s walk rate and effectiveness of his new pitches will be crucial indicators of his success in 2026.
What are your thoughts on Brendon Little’s potential for the 2026 season? Share your predictions in the comments below!
