Cardinals select Vols lefty ace Liam Doyle 5th overall

With the fifth pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the St. Louis Cardinals selected Liam Doyle, a left-handed pitcher out of Tennessee.

Doyle, 21, led D-I in strikeout rate with a mind-blowing 15.4 K/9 over 95 2/3 innings while making 17 starts and a pair of relief appearances for the Volunteers. He posted a 3.20 ERA and 0.99 WHIP as a junior and was named the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year.

Bio

Age: 21
Position: LHP
Height/Weight: 6-2, 220 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/L
School: Tennessee
Pick value (#5): $8,134,800

Tools

• Best fastball in the class, touches 100 mph
• Above average slider, cutter, splitter
• Stuff plays well deep into games

Why fans will love this player

• Potential ace upside
• Could quickly become elite closer
• Fills the zone with elite fastball
• Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year

Things he'll need to overcome

• Might project as reliever
• Will have to rely on other pitches that he seems to trust less as he progresses toward majors

Take a look ...