The Chicago Cubs today announced they have signed left-handed pitcher Brendon Little, the club's top pick with the 27th overall selection in the first round. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Overall, the Cubs have signed 14 selections to date (including Little): righthander Cory Abbott (second round), righthander Keegan Thompson (third round), righthander Erich Uelmen (fourth round), lefthander Ricky Tyler Thomas (seventh round), infielder Austin Filiere (eighth round), outfielder Chris Carrier (ninth round), righthander Brian Glowicki (10th round), righthander Casey Ryan (18th round), righthander Brendan King (20th round), righthander Sean Barry (21st round), righthander Mitch Stophel (25th round), righthander Jake Steffens (29th round) and infielder Cam Balego (30th round).
Little, 20, averaged 14.03 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in his sophomore season with the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota in Bradenton, Fla., striking out 133 in 85.1 innings while walking just 33 batters. He went 5-3 in 15 starts with a 2.53 ERA (24 ER/85.1 IP) and surrendered just 67 hits.
The six-foot, two-inch 215-pound Little had seven 10-strikeout games in 15 outings, including 15 strikeouts and no walks, March 29 vs. South Florida State College. That outing began a three-start stretch in which he struck out 35 and walked just two in 20.0 innings from March 29-April 10. He later struck out 13 and walked none, April 21 against Polk State College.
Little is a graduate of Conestoga High School in Berwyn, Pa., and was the second-best junior college player available in this draft according to Baseball America.