Feb 26, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; A general view of the St. Louis Cardinals logo on the stadium at Roger Dean Stadium during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Cardinals Struck Gold, Landed St. Louis' Next Young Ace

Originally posted on St. Louis Cardinals on SI
By Zach Pressnell | Last updated Feb 1, 2026 10:44 AM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals are in the middle of a huge rebuild, but there's still a lot to be excited about for the team.

They have a few of the better prospects in baseball, including JJ Wetherholt and Quinn Mathews. Wetherholt is likely going to debut in St. Louis over the next few months. Mathews should make his way to the big leagues this season, but he's not even the Cardinals' most anticipated pitching prospect.

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Just Baseball's Adam Akbani recently shared a lot of high praise for Cardinals prospect Liam Doyle and suggested he could make an impact in the big leagues as early as this season.

Liam Doyle could be the next star Cardinals ace

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"Fortune favored the Cardinals in the 2025 MLB Draft lottery, and they took advantage when Doyle, arguably the class’s best talent, fell to them at the fifth overall pick,"Akbani wrote. "Initially coming out of the ‘pen during his freshman year at Coastal Carolina, he transferred to Ole Miss for his sophomore year. He showed promise against SEC bats at Oxford, but struggled with command.

"Doyle eventually settled in at Tennessee for his junior season, where he was the ace of the reigning National Champions. In 95.2 IP, he recorded a staggering 42.6 K%, while limiting free passes to an 8.3% clip. It was this improvement in command and control, as well as an impressive 3.20 ERA, that vaulted him into the highest echelon of college arms."

Doyle dominated in college last season. He has the electric fastball and slider combination to keep hitters guessing, but it's his intense mindset and attitude that set him apart. He's a fiery competitor who seems to hate losing more than he likes winning.

There's a chance Doyle is fast tracked to the big leagues in the same way Paul Skenes and Chase Burns were over the last two years. Skenes and Burns were absurdly dominant in the minor leagues, which led to them being quickly moved up the ladder. If Doyle can dominate at the same level, he could be in the big leagues before we know it.

This article first appeared on St. Louis Cardinals on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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