St. Louis Cardinals Select Pitching Phenom Liam Doyle with No. 5 Pick

Tennessee, USA - The St. Louis Cardinals made headlines by selecting left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Drafting Doyle marks a significant move for the Cardinals, as it is their highest first-round pick in nearly twenty years. Known for his impressive skills on the mound, Doyle is not just a hopeful prospect; he is recognized as one of the top talents in the draft class. His explosive fastball, which regularly reaches 96-99 mph and can top out at 101 mph, has already earned him considerable attention from scouts and fans alike, positioning him as a potential future star in the Cardinals organization SI.com reports.

Doyle, hailing from the University of Tennessee, had an outstanding junior season where he racked up a record of 10-4 alongside a solid 3.20 ERA. Impressively, he set a school record with 164 strikeouts over 95 and two-thirds innings, showcasing his ability to dominate on the mound. He also led the nation in strikeouts-per-nine-innings during his time at Tennessee. This kind of performance caught the eye of Cardinals officials, who are eager to bolster their starting pitching rotation, which demanded more strikeout capability MLB.com adds.

Doyle’s Path to Success

This lefty from Tennessee has transformed his baseball journey by shedding nearly 20 pounds prior to the 2025 season, significantly enhancing his performance. His improvements were not just physical; Doyle revamped his training regimen and focused on conditioning, cementing his readiness for the rigors of professional baseball. Cardinals‘ scouting director Randy Flores acknowledged this commitment, praising Doyle’s unique fastball and noting that his health improvements were critical The New York Times states.

As a well-rounded athlete, Doyle is not just a strong pitcher; he possesses a competitive nature that the Cardinals are excited to invest in. His secondary pitches—a low-80s slider, cutter, and curveball—are still developing, but his fastball remains his forte with significant vertical and horizontal movement. The anticipation surrounding his potential ascent to the major leagues is palpable, with projections suggesting he could make an impact as soon as 2026 SI.com reports.

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals have not had many chances to draft high in recent years; this selection marks only the third time in 27 years that they have picked in the top 10 of the draft. The last left-handed pitcher drafted as high as Doyle was Donovan Osborne in 1990, making Doyle’s selection noteworthy. Additionally, the Cardinals‘ No. 1 prospect, JJ Wetherholt, was drafted No. 7 in the 2024 MLB Draft and has since advanced to Triple-A Memphis, adding to the excitement surrounding the team’s new talent pipeline.

Doyle’s journey is one that many will follow closely as he embarks on his professional career. With the Cardinals banking on his potential and competitive edge, fans may just witness the rise of a new star in the organization. As Doyle himself has expressed, he is ready to compete at any level, and with the Cardinals‘ faith in his abilities, the future looks bright for the young pitcher.