Blue Jays 2026 40-Man Roster Review: Brendon Little had strong start to 2025 before retiring

Acquired after the 2023 season for money reasons, Little’s first full season in the major leagues came for the struggling 2024 team. Through 49 relief appearances, the left-handed pitcher had a 3.74 ERA and 4.90 FIP in 45.2 innings pitched, with an 18.7 K% and 9.8 BB%. Little’s 70.9% groundball rate was among the league’s best in 2024.

In the 2025 American League pennant-winning Blue Jays, Little had a 3.03 ERA and 2.92 FIP in 68.1 innings over 79 games, with a K% that rose to 30.8% and a 15.3 BB%. Little still did a good job of keeping the ball on the ground as he had a 59 GB percentage. The reason Little’s FIP was as good as it was despite the high walk rate is that he only gave up two home runs all season.

That said, it was a tale of two halves for Little in 2025. From the start of the season through July 25, Little had a 1.90 ERA and 2.34 FIP in 47.1 innings pitched. Through his first 28 innings, Little gave up just four earned runs, three of which came in a two-game span early in the season. In that 28-inning stretch, Little also posted a 34.5 K% and 11.5 BB%, but his walk rate started to increase after those first 28 innings.

Over Little’s final 21 innings from July 28 through the end of the season, he gave up 13 runs for a 5.57 ERA and 4.18 FIP, while his K% plummeted to 21.6% and his walk rate sat at 16.5%. That struggle continued into the postseason, when Little gave up five earned runs over four innings of work for an 11.25 ERA and 11.89 FIP.

Although Little struggled in the second half, the potential exists to be a strong reliever; we have already seen it. If Little can find a way to slow down his walk rate and keep his groundball rate high, he will be a legitimate high-leverage option. Adding a third pitch he could throw for a strike could be helpful in this regard.