85-72 is the team’s projected record, heading into the end of our profile series. Luke Little, hopefully to reside in the major-league bullpen before too long, is up this time, and then we’ll finish with a look at Keegan Thompson.

Luke Little, all 6’8” of him, is the No. 2 left-handed reliever in the Cubs’ system, with only Caleb Thielbar ahead of him. A healthy Little, throwing 100 mile per hour darts past southpaw batters, is what the Cubs are looking for, and Little has fulfilled part of that promise — he’s effective enough when he’s on the hill, but isn’t there enough. Jordan Wicks might hold his space for a bit if the Cubs decide to utilize a second lefthander in the pen, but he’s very likely to be Iowa-bound after that, if indeed that is the case.

The 24-year-old Little could come into his own this year. He bears a lifetime 2.76 ERA, with 40 strikeouts in 32⅔ innings, and a WHIP of 1.29.

That’s good stuff. One lonely home run, 22 walks. He just needs to be out there more. Little is a powerful presence to bring in late, with Thielbar maybe long/middle, and would definitely strengthen the bullpen if and when he heals from his lat injury.

Luke Little suffers injury [VIDEO].

Little is just starting to throw the ball in bp, so it’s going to be a bit. It would surprise nobody if he did a spell on the Injured list before getting going.

But, when he does heal, there’s considerable expectation attached to his work. The top end for him is Aroldis Chapman/Josh Hader. he’ll most likely be somewhat less effective than that, but he can be a beast, and I for one look forward to it.

Projection systems have Little at 2-2, and we’ll work with that figure, getting us to 87-74 for the year, based on projections for the entire 40-man pitching staff, with two pitchers left to go.

Little will deploy his fastball, slider and the occasional splitter in the Cubs’ cause at some point this season. Lat injuries are tricky to come back from, like obliques.

We’ll see him then, after developments. Thanks for reading.