Have the Cardinals drafted a future NL Cy Young Award winner?
With pressure on to draft the next big thing of their franchise, the St. Louis Cardinals chose well, selecting Tennessee Volunteers pitcher Liam Doyle with the fifth overall selection in the 2025 MLB Draft Sunday evening.
But just how good is Doyle?
Good enough for ESPN to give him a comparing to Atlanta Braves ace, Spencer Strider, who finished second to Blake Snell in the 2023 NL Cy Young Award voting and possessing a repertoire similar to the Volunteer southpaw.
"Doyle went 10-4 with a 3.20 ERA for the Vols, striking out 164 in 95.2 innings, finished second in Division I in strikeouts and first in K/9," the site says. "After sitting in the lower 90s as a sophomore, Doyle sat in the mid-90s and peaked at 100 mph and often blew his heater by college hitters. He throws strikes, isn't afraid to pitch inside and backs up the fastball with a splitter and slider."
In comparison, the bio read "Spencer Strider, if he was left-handed, but had real questions about his command, stamina, and delivery."
That is definitely a proud comparison, even as Strider is beginning to find his old self as he adjusts from undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.
But if Doyle can clear his doubts and deliver like the Braves' mustached virtuoso, then the sky will be the limit.
Category: Baseball
