Luke Little – Chicago Cubs Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Luke Little is a left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who’s been turning heads since he joined the team. With his towering build and a fastball that’s tough to ignore, Little signed a one-year contract worth $760,000 with the Cubs, and that deal is fully guaranteed.

He’s come a long way, moving from minor league teams to landing a spot on the Cubs’ roster, which says a lot about how quickly he’s developed as a pro.

The Cubs called him up from the Iowa Cubs, a big moment in his career. Before that, he played for the Tennessee Smokies and then the Iowa Cubs, honing his skills and building a solid reputation in the farm system.

With each promotion, Little showed he was ready for more. His progress has been steady, and he keeps proving himself on the mound.

Luke Little is still carving out his place in the major leagues and working on his financial future. He represents this new wave of baseball talent fighting to make it big.

It’s worth pointing out—he’s not to be confused with darts player Luke Littler. Baseball’s Luke Little is all about the MLB and his shot with the Cubs.

Early Life and Background

Luke Little started his journey to the Cubs in Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up there shaped his athletic path and set the stage for his future in baseball.

Family and Upbringing

Luke Justice Little was born on August 30, 2000 in Charlotte. The Southeast is crazy about baseball, so he got into the sport from a young age.

He stood out early, partly because of his height and natural athleticism. His family supported his sports interests, even if they’ve kept a low profile about their own lives.

Charlotte’s youth baseball leagues gave him plenty of chances to compete and grow. The local baseball scene became almost like a second family for him.

Education and Early Interests

He went to San Jacinto College, where he took his pitching to the next level. Before that, he attended high school in Charlotte and started to get noticed as a pitching prospect.

Coaches saw his potential early on—his left-handed delivery and power stood out. His fastball picked up speed during his teens, and scouts started paying attention.

Like a lot of kids his age, Little had different interests growing up, but as he realized baseball could be his future, he put more time into practice and training.

Football Career Journey

Luke Little’s path to pro baseball hasn’t been flashy, but he’s worked hard and kept moving up. From college to the majors, he’s shown steady growth as a lefty with real heat.

College Football Milestones

Let’s clear this up—despite the section title, Little is a baseball guy, not a football player. At San Jacinto College in Texas, he built his pitching foundation.

The 6-foot-8 lefty developed a fastball that hit 100 mph regularly. In 2020, a video of him throwing 105 mph went viral, and suddenly, everyone knew his name.

His college stats weren’t too shabby:

• 2.00 ERA as a freshman
• 35 strikeouts in just 17 sophomore innings
• Opponents hit under .200 against him

Professional Debut and Teams

The Chicago Cubs picked Little in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft. He signed his first pro contract and started working his way up through the Cubs’ minor league system.

He pitched at several levels:

1. Arizona Complex League
2. Myrtle Beach Pelicans
3. South Bend Cubs
4. Tennessee Smokies

Little made his MLB debut in 2023. The Cubs see him as one of their promising young relievers.

He’s still with the Cubs for the 2025 season, earning $760,000 as part of his contract.

Notable Achievements

Since turning pro, Little has racked up some impressive milestones. His fastball keeps hitting the upper 90s, sometimes even cracking 100 mph.

In the minors, he struck out batters at a high rate—over 13 K/9 at times. That knack for missing bats carried over to his time in the majors.

Some highlights:

• Played in the MLB Futures Game
• Named a minor league all-star more than once
• Added a sharper slider to his arsenal
• Cut down his walk rate since college

As 2025 rolls along, Little’s becoming a valuable piece in the Cubs’ bullpen.

Contract Details and Financial Insights

Luke Little’s finances show a clear upward trend as he builds his MLB career. His contracts and earnings reflect the typical journey of a young player trying to make his mark.

Current Baseball Contract Overview

Right now, Little is playing for the Cubs on a 1-year, $760,000 contract. That’s pretty standard for someone just getting started in the majors.

His deal matches what you’d expect for a young relief pitcher in MLB. The full guarantee gives him some financial security while he keeps working on his game.

He’s still in the early stages, so his salary is at the lower end for MLB players, which is normal before arbitration kicks in.

Salary Breakdown and Revenue Sources

Little’s main income is his $760,000 base salary, fully guaranteed under MLB rules. That’s his paycheck from the Cubs.

He might have a few other sources of income:

• Performance bonuses, if those are in his contract
• Small endorsements (though probably not many yet)
• Merchandise royalties through MLBPA
• Appearance fees or local promotions

At this stage, most of his earnings come from his salary, not big endorsements or incentives. The league minimum is his financial starting point, and he’ll have to prove himself to earn more.

Negotiations and Contract Extensions

Little’s future earnings depend on how he performs. MLB contracts go through a few phases:

1. Pre-arbitration years: He’s here now, with team-controlled salaries.
2. Arbitration eligibility: Usually after 3 service years, when salaries can jump.
3. Free agency: After 6 years, he could negotiate with any team.

If he proves himself as a reliable bullpen arm, the Cubs might offer an extension to lock him in before arbitration. His agent will probably compare him to similar relievers when talking future deals.

Net Worth Analysis

Luke Little’s net worth has started to climb since he made it to the majors. His salary and a few endorsements are the main pieces of his financial picture.

Estimated Net Worth in 2025

In 2025, Little’s net worth will likely stay modest by MLB standards. With his current $760,000 contract, he’s probably sitting somewhere between $1–2 million.

That estimate includes:

• MLB salary
• Some minor league earnings
• Basic endorsements
• Typical investment growth

His financial future depends on whether he can hold down a bullpen spot for the Cubs. If he sticks, his income could jump in the next couple years.

Because he’s still in pre-arbitration, he’s earning close to the MLB minimum, so he’s not building wealth as quickly as veterans.

Major Investments and Assets

Little hasn’t shared much about his investments, but most young MLB players focus on stability first. Usually, that means:

• Buying a modest home or condo, maybe in Chicago or near spring training
• Starting retirement accounts, since MLB offers good pension and 401(k) plans
• Keeping investments conservative—mostly stocks, bonds, and cash

Players at his stage usually avoid risky ventures. Financial advisors recommend staying liquid and stable until their careers are more secure.

He hasn’t talked about any business interests or big real estate buys, which isn’t unusual for someone on their first MLB contract.

Financial Standing Compared to Peers

Little’s earnings put him in the lower range among MLB players. His $760,000 salary is:

• About half the MLB average salary ($4.1 million)
• Right at the minimum for players on the 40-man roster
• Typical for young relievers with less than 3 years’ experience

Compared to Cubs veterans like Héctor Neris ($9 million) and Adbert Alzolay ($2.1 million), Little earns a lot less.

And if you compare him to other Lukes, like Luke Littler, the darts player, the numbers are pretty different—Littler’s net worth is already over £1.5 million at just 17.

Little’s earnings could rise fast once he hits arbitration, especially if he becomes a steady bullpen option.