Cardinals' Flame-Throwing Lefty Doyle Poised for Stardom

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While the St. Louis Cardinals have struggled in recent seasons, the team has found success in the MLB Draft, selecting top prospects like outfielder JJ Wetherholt and left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle. Doyle, the Cardinals' 2025 first-round pick, has already made a strong impression in the minors with his overpowering fastball that can reach 100 mph. Though he still needs to refine his secondary pitches, the 23-year-old is considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and could soon be making an impact at the major league level.

Why it matters

The Cardinals' struggles have allowed them to stockpile high draft picks, and Doyle represents one of the most exciting young arms in their farm system. If he continues to develop, Doyle could anchor the Cardinals' rotation for years to come and help the team return to contention in the NL Central.

The details

Doyle was selected with the 5th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft after a dominant junior season at the University of Tennessee. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can touch 100 mph, and he pairs it with a solid slider and cutter. While he relies heavily on his heater, Doyle has also added an effective splitter-changeup to his arsenal. Though there are some concerns about his unorthodox delivery and ability to maintain his stuff as a starter, Doyle has shown the ability to miss bats at a high rate, racking up 105 strikeouts with his fastball alone last season.

• Doyle was selected 5th overall by the Cardinals in the 2025 MLB Draft.
• Doyle made his professional debut in 2025, pitching 3.2 innings at the Double-A level.

What’s next

Doyle is expected to continue his rapid ascent through the Cardinals' minor league system, with a potential MLB debut sometime in the next 1-2 seasons.