The St. Louis Cardinals have kicked off their post-All-Star break with a whirlwind of activity, starting with a grueling six-and-a-half-hour marathon victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 13, 2025, and continuing with a highly praised first day of the Major League Baseball Draft. The Cardinals’ draft haul, especially their top selection, has generated significant buzz among fans and analysts alike, sparking excitement about the team’s future rotation and lineup.
With the fifth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Cardinals chose left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle from the University of Tennessee, a decision that draft expert Keith Law immediately lauded as his favorite selection. Doyle, a high-octane starter, arrived at the college season as one of the top-ranked pitching prospects in the draft, boasting a fastball that some say could already compete at the major league level.
During his standout season with the Tennessee Volunteers, Doyle posted a 10-4 record with a 3.20 ERA, striking out 164 batters in 95⅔ innings. He finished second in Division I for strikeouts and led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings, showcasing his dominance on the mound. His fastball velocity surged from the low 90s as a sophomore to mid-90s, peaking at an electrifying 100 mph, often overpowering college hitters. Complementing his heat are a splitter and slider, pitches Doyle is expected to rely on more heavily as he transitions into professional baseball.
ESPN analyst Dan Mullen highlighted Doyle’s potential, noting, "Doyle's fastball could play in the majors right now, and the Cardinals have long been in need of some hard-throwing additions to their system." He added that the big question is whether Doyle’s secondary pitches and stamina will keep him in the starting rotation or push him toward a bullpen role. Regardless, Mullen emphasized the upside: "Best case, St. Louis just added a strong part of its rotation for years to come — but a potential closer or top setup option isn't a bad fallback plan either." This dual potential adds a layer of intrigue to Doyle’s development path.
Further adding to the excitement are the compelling MLB player comparisons Doyle has drawn. His coach at Tennessee, Tony Vitello, compared him to future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, a fiery competitor with a triple-digit fastball who also faced questions about his role early in his career. "Scherzer dealt with some of those same talking points during his draft season before coming on as one of the best starters over the stretch of his career," Vitello remarked on 101 ESPN's BK and Ferrario show. "It’s not just the talent from Doyle but also his fiery personality and competitive edge." Vitello also pointed out that Doyle battled a "deteriorating" blister on his finger throughout the last season but still maintained high performance, underscoring his toughness.
MLB analysts have drawn parallels between Doyle and Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strider, noting their shared electric fastball and sharp breaking pitches but similar concerns about command and stamina. Strider, a right-hander, has compiled a 35-17 record with a 3.54 ERA, 569 strikeouts to 133 walks, a .202 batting average against, and a 1.09 WHIP over five seasons, finishing fourth in the 2023 National League Cy Young Award voting. Doyle’s left-handedness adds a unique element to this comparison, potentially giving the Cardinals a valuable southpaw presence in their rotation.
Another comparison comes from MLB’s likeness of Doyle to Garrett Crochet, a fellow lefty who was also a first-round pick and made his major league debut within the same year. These comparisons fuel optimism that Doyle could swiftly ascend through the minors and challenge for a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation in the near future.
St. Louis ace Sonny Gray, who turns 36 this November, is signed through 2026 with a $30 million club option for 2027, making the development of young arms like Doyle crucial for the franchise’s long-term plans. The Cardinals have been eager to bolster their rotation with homegrown talent, and Doyle could be the answer they've been searching for to eventually take the reins from Gray.
On the offensive side, the Cardinals made notable moves on the first day of the draft as well. With their second-round pick, the team selected Ryan Mitchell, a 6'2" athletic left-handed bat out of Houston High School in Tennessee. Although listed as a shortstop entering the draft, the Cardinals announced Mitchell as an outfielder, a position switch that reflects their desire for positional flexibility.
Mitchell’s blend of athleticism and speed has earned him comparisons to former MLB All-Star Dee Strange-Gordon, known for his versatility and base-stealing prowess. Strange-Gordon never hit more than four home runs in a season but stole 30 or more bases six times and tallied 55 triples throughout his career. While Mitchell projects to have more pop in his bat, the Cardinals are clearly investing in his ability to impact the game with speed and defense, addressing a long-standing need for more speed in their lineup.
Rounding out their first-day selections, the Cardinals picked left-handed hitter Jack Gurevitch from the University of San Diego. Praised for his exceptional hitting ability, Gurevitch displayed a keen knowledge of the strike zone and the ability to hit to all fields. He slugged 17 home runs last season, though he showed some struggles against higher-velocity pitching — a challenge he will need to overcome as he advances through the minors.
Gurevitch’s versatility allows him to play first base, third base, or a corner outfield spot, but he is most likely to settle at first base, drawing comparisons to former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman James Loney. Loney was a consistent .284 hitter over 11 major league seasons, never striking out more than 95 times in a season and maxing out at 15 home runs. If Gurevitch can emulate Loney’s contact skills and add a bit more power, he could become a reliable contributor for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals’ draft success has not gone unnoticed by baseball veterans. Chris Carpenter, a retired professional pitcher and two-time World Series champion who played 15 seasons in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals, weighed in on Doyle’s selection. A New Hampshire native like Doyle, Carpenter expressed excitement about seeing another Granite Stater drafted so highly. Speaking to News 9 on July 15, Carpenter noted, "First and foremost, it's a cool thing, a New Hampshire kid getting drafted that high. I still run into people all over the country and other countries when I travel on vacation that are Cardinals fans. And he'll realize that real quick that this is a passionate fan base, a passionate city that loves the game of baseball and loves their St. Louis Cardinals." Carpenter, now mentoring minor league players with the Los Angeles Angels, also cautioned that Doyle will face a significant jump in talent as he begins trying to strike out major league hitters, highlighting the challenge ahead for the young pitcher.
As the second day of the draft unfolded on July 14, featuring rounds four through twenty, the Cardinals continued to dig deeper into their player pool, scouting for talent that could further strengthen their system. While the first day’s selections have drawn the most attention, the organization’s broader approach reflects a commitment to building a well-rounded, competitive team for years to come.
With the first professional contracts now the next step, the Cardinals will decide where to assign their new draftees to begin their journeys through the minor leagues. The road ahead is long and challenging, but with promising talents like Liam Doyle, Ryan Mitchell, and Jack Gurevitch, the Cardinals have plenty to be optimistic about as they look toward the future.
In a season marked by a thrilling marathon win and a draft haul packed with potential stars, St. Louis fans can savor the hope that their team’s next chapter is already being written.
