The St. Louis Cardinals made a bold move in the MLB Draft, selecting left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle from the University of Tennessee with the No. 5 overall pick. This marks the Cardinals’ first top-five selection since 1998, when they drafted J.D. Drew, and signals their intent to bolster their pitching pipeline with a high-upside arm. Doyle, a 21-year-old New Hampshire native, brings an electrifying fastball and a proven track record as one of college baseball’s most dominant strikeout pitchers.
A Breakout Star with a Rocket Arm
Liam Doyle’s journey to the top of draft boards is a story of perseverance and growth. A two-time transfer, Doyle began his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina in 2023, where he posted a 4.15 ERA with an 11.0 K/9 ratio. He then moved to Ole Miss in 2024, recording a 5.73 ERA but an impressive 13.7 K/9 in 16 appearances. His true breakout came in 2025 with Tennessee, where he emerged as the Volunteers’ ace, leading Division I with a 15.4 K/9 strikeout rate and setting a program record with 164 strikeouts in 95.2 innings. His 3.20 ERA, 10-4 record, and SEC Pitcher of the Year honors underscored his dominance, earning him recognition as a finalist milky Way finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.
Doyle’s calling card is his fastball, a 70-grade pitch that sits in the mid-90s and can touch 100 mph. Described as a “rocket ship” with exceptional carry, the pitch generated a 40% whiff rate in 2025, making it one of the most formidable offerings in the draft class. Complementing his fastball are a plus slider, cutter, and splitter, giving him a versatile four-pitch arsenal. Scouts have lauded his ability to overpower hitters, with some comparing his style to former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, though concerns about his max-effort delivery raise questions about his long-term role as a starter or reliever.
A Strategic Pick for the Cardinals
The Cardinals’ decision to draft Doyle reflects their focus on rebuilding a farm system in need of high-impact talent. With a $14.5 million bonus pool and a rare top-five pick, St. Louis aimed for a player with both a high floor and a ceiling “through the roof,” as described by scouting director Randy Flores. Doyle’s rapid development—he jumped from a 93.5 mph fastball at Ole Miss to triple-digit velocity at Tennessee—suggests he could move quickly through the minors. Some analysts believe he could reach the majors within a year, a rarity for a draft pick, due to his polished command and ability to handle top-tier competition.
“Doyle possesses an electric fastball that can allow him to attack batters at the Major League level, and we’re very excited to see his intensity at Busch Stadium in the future, said Cardinals Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Randy Flores. “He has an extremely high floor and his ceiling is through-the-roof.”
Doyle’s selection also aligns with the Cardinals’ historical preference for college left-handers, though it comes as a slight surprise given some pre-draft speculation that the team might target a position player like Eli Willits or Aiva Arquette. The Cardinals’ choice of Doyle over other top pitchers like LSU’s Kade Anderson or Florida State’s Jamie Arnold indicates confidence in his upside and readiness, despite his unorthodox delivery.
From New Hampshire to the Show
Hailing from Derry, New Hampshire, Doyle’s path to the MLB Draft is a testament to his work ethic. A graduate of Pinkerton Academy, where he led the Astros to a state championship in 2022, Doyle was not a highly touted prospect out of high school. His steady development through three colleges and a significant velocity boost at Tennessee turned him into a top-10 prospect by draft day. His blue-collar mentality and routine-driven approach have endeared him to scouts and fans alike, with many seeing him as a potential cornerstone for the Cardinals’ rotation.
What’s Next for Doyle?
Doyle’s immediate future depends on his decision to sign with the Cardinals or return to college, though the allure of a top-five draft slot and a likely lucrative contract make a professional start probable. If he signs, his fastball-heavy approach and strikeout prowess could see him rise quickly through St. Louis’ system, potentially joining recent first-rounders like JJ Wetherholt in pushing the Cardinals toward a new era of contention.
The Cardinals’ selection of Liam Doyle is a statement of intent—a commitment to building around elite pitching talent. As fans eagerly await his professional debut, Doyle’s “all-gas, no-breaks” style promises to bring excitement to Busch Stadium in the years to come.
