St. Louis Cardinals select Tennessee LHP Liam Doyle in 2025 MLB Draft

Liam Doyle has heard his name called in the 2025 MLB Draft. The Tennessee LHP was selected No. 5 overall in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Doyle has played three seasons at the college level, suiting up for three teams over that span. He become Coastal Carolina‘s most impactful starter during his freshman season in 2023 before transferring to Ole Miss the following season — more of the same success followed.

With the Rebels, he averaged 13.7 strikeouts per nine innings. If he didn’t fall one inning shy of qualifying, it would have ranked 13th in the country.

Doyle later transferred to Tennessee for his junior season. There, he was named 2025 Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year, among other honors, after leading Division I with 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Doyle finished the year with a 10-4 record including a 3.20 ERA.

Across 95.4 innings pitched, Doyle struck out 164 of the 385 batters he faced while only walking 32. Doyle finished the year having allowed 37 runs while he was on the bump for the Volunteers. As for his specific pitches, Doyle is fond of his fastball, but still four effective pitches in his arsenal including an upper-80s splitter.

“Doyle’s success centers primarily around his fastball, which sat at 91-94 mph during his sophomore season and now operates in the mid-90s and peaks at 100,” his MLB scouting report reads. “It has been the most untouchable heater in college baseball this year, coming out of a high release point and exploding at the top of the zone, and he topped D-I by finishing 105 strikeouts with the pitch. His 82-85 mph slider has become a solid offering but he leaves it in the middle of the plate too often, which is also an issue with his upper-80s cutter.”

His scouting report also shares its concern surround his ability to find success as a starter at the big league level due. This is due to his “unorthodox delivery and constantly throws with maximum intent.” However, he has proven that he can pitch deep into games and still be effective while working against a high pitch count.

Now that he’s been drafted, Doyle has the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong in the next stage of his career. Of course, he can always return to college if he chooses not to sign his rookie contract — but for now, Tennessee star pitcher Liam Doyle is MLB-bound.