Cardinals Select Fiery Lefty Liam Doyle with Number One Pick

The St. Louis Cardinals made a statement with their No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. They’re all in on Liam Doyle. The hard-throwing left-hander from the University of Tennessee isn’t just another arm, he represents a shift in the Cardinals’ organizational philosophy. Bringing an elite, strikeout-heavy profile that could redefine their rotation for years to come.

Doyle Named SEC Pitcher of the Year

Doyle’s ascent to a top-five draft pick has been nothing short of meteoric. A transfer from Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss, he truly found his stride as the ace of the Tennessee Volunteers in 2025, culminating in a dominant season that saw him named SEC Pitcher of the Year. His statistics are impressive. He put up a 10-4 record with a 3.20 ERA, and an eye-popping 164 strikeouts in just 95.2 innings. This incredible strikeout rate of 15.4 K/9 led all Division I pitchers. He showcased his uncanny ability to miss bats at an elite level. Furthermore, he contributed to two combined no-hitters for the Volunteers.

At the heart of Doyle’s success is a fastball that scouts have graded as one of the best in the entire draft class, earning a rare 75-grade. Sitting comfortably in the 94-96 mph range and touching 99 mph when he dials it up, it’s not merely the velocity that makes it special. It’s the elite vertical life, or “ride,” that allows the pitch to seemingly defy gravity, staying above barrels and inducing an abundance of swings and misses. This wicked fastball is a legitimate big-league weapon right now.

However, Doyle is far from a one-pitch pony. He complements his devastating fastball with a trio of secondary offerings that all project as at least plus pitches. He has a sharp slider, an effective cutter, and a deceptive splitter. While his fastball was undeniably his go-to in college, the potential for these off-speed pitches to develop into consistent put-away options gives him the ceiling of a true front-line starter. The splitter, in particular, has garnered significant praise, with its ability to kill spin and create significant arm-side run.

Doyle Draws Comparisons to the “Mad Hungarian”

Beyond the raw stuff, what truly sets Doyle apart is his fierce competitiveness. He’s known as a routine-first, no-nonsense worker. Someone who embraces the grind and never shies away from extra reps. Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, a self-professed Cardinals fan, even compared Doyle’s fiery demeanor to that of Cardinals’ reliever Al Hrabosky. This intensity, combined with his electric stuff, allows him to channel his emotions into attacking hitters with conviction.

The Cardinals’ selection of Doyle signals a clear strategic move. Historically, the organization has prioritized pitchers with strong command and groundball tendencies. While Doyle does pound the zone, his profile leans heavily into swing-and-miss stuff. This aligns with the modern game’s emphasis on strikeout efficiency.

Acquiring a pitcher with a 100 mph fastball and a unique profile in the free-agent market is astronomically expensive. Making the calculated risk of drafting Doyle is a worthwhile gamble. The hope is that his commitment to fitness and stamina, which saw him drop over 20 pounds before his dominant 2025 season, will continue to allow him to maintain a starter’s workload.

Lefty Makes a Few Stops on the Way

Doyle’s college journey, with stops at Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss before his breakout at Tennessee, has forged an adaptable athlete. He’s proven his ability to adjust and thrive in different environments. This culminated in a senior season that saw him set a program record for strikeouts at Tennessee. Surpassing even Luke Hochevar, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2006. Undoubtedly, his journey contributed to his maturity and understanding of the game.

A Player Fans Should be Excited About

For the Cardinals, Liam Doyle represents a potential cornerstone for their pitching staff for the next decade. His electric fastball and developing secondary pitches offer a tantalizing blend of present dominance and future upside. While there’s always a developmental curve for any draft pick, Doyle’s undeniable talent and mental toughness suggest he could be a fast riser through the Cardinals’ minor league system.

Fans should be eager to witness the impact of this fireball-throwing lefty as he embarks on his professional career. He has the potential to become a true game-changer for the Redbirds. The anticipation for Doyle’s debut in a Cardinals uniform will undoubtedly be high. He carries the hopes of an organization looking to build its next championship-caliber rotation around a new brand of power and precision.