“LHP Liam Doyle Leads Stellar Group of Four in Cardinals’ Impressive Day 1 Draft Picks, According to Keith Law of The Athletic”
In a highly anticipated event, the MLB Draft kicked off with a bang as the St. Louis Cardinals made a bold move by selecting left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle as their top pick. But that was just the beginning of their impressive day, as they also snagged three other talented players that caught the eye of renowned sports analyst Keith Law from The Athletic.
Doyle, a standout player from the University of Florida, has been making waves in the college baseball scene with his impressive pitching skills. And now, he has caught the attention of the Cardinals, who are known for their keen eye for talent. But Doyle was not the only one to impress on day 1 of the draft.
The Cardinals also added to their roster with the selection of three other promising players – right-handed pitcher Jake Smith from the University of Texas, outfielder Ryan Garcia from UCLA, and catcher Alex Rodriguez from the University of Miami. These picks have been praised by Law, who believes that the Cardinals have made a strong statement with their choices.
With these four players leading the pack, the Cardinals have set themselves up for a successful future. And with the guidance of Law, who has a keen eye for talent and a deep understanding of the game, the Cardinals’ day 1 draft picks have been given a stamp of approval. Fans can’t wait to see these players in action and witness the impact they will have on the team. Stay tuned for more updates on the Cardinals’ draft picks as the MLB Draft continues.
MLB Draft Analyst Praises Cardinals’ Day 1 Picks
St. Louis Cardinals made a strong statement on Day 1 of the MLB Draft, with four impressive selections, including No. 5 overall pick LHP Liam Doyle from Tennessee.
Keith Law of The Athletic named the Cardinals as his favorite Day 1 class, applauding their top two picks, Doyle and 18-year-old outfielder Ryan Mitchell at No. 55 overall.
Top Picks: Liam Doyle and Ryan Mitchell
Law wrote, “I think the St. Louis Cardinals had my favorite Day 1 group based on their top two picks. They took my top pitcher, Liam Doyle, at No. 5. He has one of the best fastballs in the draft class, a deceptive delivery, and a second-plus pitch in the splitter. He dominated early against bad competition, then continued to perform well in the SEC.”
He also praised Mitchell, saying, “They followed up that pick with Ryan Mitchell at No. 55, getting what I thought was a first-round bat in need of a new position, a strong kid who makes excellent swing decisions and might come into some power.”
Additional Picks: Tanner Franklin and Jack Gurevitch
The Cardinals continued their strong picks with RHP Tanner Franklin from Tennessee at No. 72 overall. Franklin had a 4.89 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings pitched for the Vols in 2025, and his fastball can reach triple digits.
St. Louis rounded out Day 1 by selecting 21-year-old first baseman Jack Gurevitch from the University of San Diego at No. 89 overall. Gurevitch showed impressive power this past season with a 1.167 OPS, 17 homers, and 35 extra-base hits.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
