Liam Doyle offers Randy Johnson-lite potential on the mound
Tennessee baseball standout Liam Doyle was selected fifth overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday night. Known for his fiery competitiveness and potentially the top fastball in this year’s class, the left-handed pitcher is a rising star.
Doyle is now the third pitcher developed by Tony Vitello to be taken in the first round. Garrett Crochet was the first, going 11th overall to the Chicago White Sox in 2020. He has since emerged as a two-time All-Star and a key starter for the Boston Red Sox.
The second pitcher coached by Tony Vitello to be drafted in the first round was Chase Dollander, who went No. 9 overall to the Colorado Rockies in 2023. Dollander has pitched in 15 games for the Rockies this season, recording a 6.68 ERA and 52 strikeouts before being recently optioned to Triple-A with the Albuquerque Isotopes.
Meanwhile, Doyle is coming off a stellar season as Tennessee’s ace, finishing with a 10-4 record, one save, and a 3.20 ERA. He also tallied 164 strikeouts over 95 2/3 innings, showcasing the potential to match or even surpass Crochet thanks to his approach, pitch mix, and overall pitching style.
Doyle could make his MLB debut as soon as next season if he continues to refine his offspeed arsenal to complement his elite fastball.
The Cardinals landed an ideal selection at No. 5 with Doyle, thanks to his strong presence on the mound and a fastball that touches 100 mph. That pitch is rated a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale—the highest grade for a college fastball since Paul Skenes was drafted by the Pirates.
In addition to his heater, Doyle features a slider and cutter, both graded at 50, and a changeup graded at 55. Each of these secondary offerings has the potential to evolve into reliable No. 2 pitches, giving Doyle the tools to become a high-strikeout pitcher at the next level.
Doyle is an ideal fit for the Cardinals, bringing a fiery presence and a powerful fastball that features elite spin and vertical break—leading to plenty of swings and misses. When combined with his sweeping slider, he has the potential to become a long-term rival to Paul Skenes in what could be a marquee pitching matchup for years to come.
He now joins a promising group of Cardinals pitching prospects that includes Cooper Hjerpe, Quinn Mathews, Tekoah Roby, and Tink Hence, as the organization works to develop a future rotation built around young, high-upside arms.
