The St. Louis Cardinals’ 2025 No. 5 Pick Makes a Bold Statement at Busch Stadium Debut
In a highly anticipated moment, the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2025 No. 5 pick, Liam Doyle, stepped foot onto the iconic field of Busch Stadium for the first time. And he didn’t waste any time making his presence known.
With all eyes on him, Doyle sent a clear message to the Cardinals organization and their fans: he is ready to make an impact.
The young prospect, known for his impressive pitching skills, took in the sights and sounds of the stadium with a determined look on his face. As he walked onto the field, it was evident that he was ready to take on the challenge of playing for one of the most storied franchises in baseball.
Doyle’s visit to Busch Stadium was not just a casual tour, but a symbolic moment that marked the beginning of his journey with the Cardinals. And he made sure to leave a lasting impression.
As he threw a few practice pitches on the mound, Doyle’s talent and potential were on full display. The crowd erupted in cheers, giving him a taste of the electric atmosphere that he can expect to experience as a Cardinal.
But it wasn’t just his skills on the field that caught the attention of the Cardinals’ coaching staff and front office. Doyle’s professionalism and maturity were also on display, leaving a positive impression on everyone he encountered.
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The Cardinals’ No. 5 Pick, Liam Doyle, Makes a Strong First Impression at Busch Stadium
The St. Louis Cardinals’ newest addition, Liam Doyle, made his first appearance at Busch Stadium this week and left a lasting impression on Cardinals Nation.
“What’s up, Cardinals Nation, at the field for the first time,” Doyle announced in an Instagram video. “Looks awesome here, ready to get to work.”
Doyle, a hard-throwing left-hander, was selected fifth overall in the 2025 MLB Draft and arrives in St. Louis with high expectations and impressive credentials.
The 22-year-old emerged as college baseball’s top strikeout pitcher in 2025, leading all NCAA Division I qualifiers with a 15.5 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) ratio. He also earned SEC Pitcher of the Year honors after posting a 10-4 record, a 3.20 ERA, and a school-record 164 strikeouts in 95 2/3 innings for the University of Tennessee.
Originally from New Hampshire, Doyle’s journey to Tennessee included stops at Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss. He continued to impress at both schools, striking out 69 in 56 1/3 innings at Coastal in 2023 and 84 in 55 innings at Ole Miss in 2024. He also helped pitch a combined no-hitter against St. Bonaventure, Tennessee’s first since 2002, and was ranked as the No. 1 draft prospect by The Athletic’s Keith Law.
Doyle’s availability at No. 5 came as a surprise after the Washington Nationals selected 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits with the first overall pick and the Los Angeles Angels chose UC-Santa Barbara right-hander Tyler Bremner at No. 2. LSU’s Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday, son of Cardinals legend Matt Holliday, were also selected before Doyle, making him available for St. Louis.
Cardinals assistant GM and scouting director Randy Flores praised Doyle’s impressive arsenal of pitches, noting his ability to generate separation between his fastball and split-fingered fastball. Flores also emphasized the long-term value of acquiring a pitcher with a 101 mph fastball and explosive strikeout ability through the draft, citing the high cost of similar talent on the free-agent market.
Doyle’s transformation at Tennessee included a 20-plus pound weight loss, achieved through rigorous conditioning and daily commitment to training. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound southpaw credited Tennessee’s strength staff for helping him improve his stamina and performance.
His passion on the mound has drawn comparisons to Cardinals Hall of Famer Al Hrabosky, while his composure off the field reminds Flores of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Doyle even shares a personal connection with Carpenter, who once coached him in summer ball.
Now officially part of the Cardinals organization, Doyle becomes their highest-drafted left-handed pitcher since Donovan Osborne (No. 13 in 1990). Cardinals fans are excited to see what this talented young pitcher will bring to the team.
