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Chicago Cubs: We’ve had a little success with a big lefty who throws 105
The Cubs may or may not have had some success with a left-handed pitcher who comes out of the pen throwing BBs. You may recall during that glorious run to the 2016 World Series (yes, I know- that feels like it was decades ago at this point and it’s only been four years!) that the Cubs went out and traded away Gleyber Torres for the best closer in the game in Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman was lights out for almost the entire time he was with the Cubs and only started slowing down and struggling a bit after former skipper Joe Maddon wore him into the ground in the playoffs because he didn’t trust anyone else in the pen.
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With that in mind, it’s hard not to think about the possibilities of another huge lefty coming into games in the late innings throwing blistering fastball after fastball when you see the video of the Cubs fourth-round pick. Another guy the Cubs were probably surprised they were able to snag this late in the draft, Luke Little is a 6’8″ left-handed pitcher who caused a bit of an internet stir when video of his bullpens showed consistent triple digits on the radar gun. Gearing up to 105 mph on the gun in the video, Little (who is anything but at his height) has the kind of arms scouts salivate over.
Of course, the reason he lasted until the fourth round with that kind of arm is simple- control. From San Jacinto Junior College in Texas (where former big leaguers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte went), Little was poised to have a huge season after getting in the best shape of his life and adding velocity to his already bullet-like heater. Even if he improves his control just a tad, a lefty throwing 100 coming out of the pen is always a welcome addition to a big-league club.