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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 13: Major League Baseball commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. announces Liam Doyle as the fifth overall pick, by the St. Louis Cardinals, in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft at Coca-Cola Roxy on July 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Cardinals prospect Liam Doyle just set a new career high in his most recent start. 

Doyle, 21, was St. Louis’ first-round pick in 2025. He’s been known for his tenacity on the mound paired with a roaring fastball from the left side. 

Liam Doyle Sets New Career High in Strikeouts in Latest Start 

In his most recent start, Doyle racked up eight strikeouts in a mere five innings of work. Additionally, the southpaw at one point retired 11 straight batters. Hitting was optional today with Doyle on the hill. 

The flamethrowing lefty displayed his signature heater en route to a phenomenal outing. After establishing the hot-stuff early, Doyle mixed in breaking balls and off-speed pitches later in the count, keeping hitters off balance. As a former Tennessee Volunteer, Doyle has always had big-league stuff; today was a sign of pitch-ability development. The horizon is golden if Doyle continues his ascension. 

MLB World Reacts to Liam Doyle’s Stellar Outing 

Here’s what people are saying about Doyle’s outing: 

MLB Pipeline: “Liam Doyle retires 11 in a row en route to a career-high eight strikeouts over five frames for the Double-A @Sgf_Cardinals! Jonathan Mayo discussed the @Cardinals‘ top prospect and his elite fastball in the latest Inbox: https://atmlb.com/4d1MYOr.”

Baseball America: “Liam Doyle recorded a career-high eight strikeouts over five frames at Double-A tonight. The @CardsPlayerDev No. 2 prospect generated 14 whiffs over 81 pitches.” 

Kareem Haq: “Liam Doyle’s final line: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K. Doyle had it all working tonight. He induced 14 whiffs and found a ton of success with his secondary offerings. It’s nice to see him string together a couple of strong outings after his rough start.”

Adam Akbani: “Liam Doyle has been a completely different pitcher over his last couple of starts. First 49 batters faced: 11.17 ERA, 18.4 K%, 12.2 BB%, 16 H. Last 43 batters faced: 2.38 ERA, 39.3 K%, 2.3 BB%, 9 H.”

Geoff Pontes: “I received a tip that Doyle altered the grip on his primary breaking ball prior to this start. It looked significantly better, showing more depth while zoning it with greater frequency.”

Doyle Takes Over Number One Spot in Cardinals Prospect Rankings

With rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt graduating from prospect status, Doyle is now the Redbirds’ top prospect. 

The Cardinals’ farm system ranks amongst the best in baseball. Other highly touted names like Raniel Rodriguez (STL #2, C/DH), Joshua Baez (STL #3, OF), and Jurragelo Cijntje (STL #4, SP) highlight a completely revamped camp. 

With the mediocre performance of the Redbird rotation and the looming departure of likely one-and-done Dustin May, Doyle has positioned himself for a Steptember call-up. 

Other starting pitchers in The Show on similar timelines include Matthew Liberatore and Michael McGreevy. The latter recently set a career high as well in his last start against a formidable Padres lineup. 

If St. Louis is going to get a head start on competing, the jumping-off point is the mound. Doyle headlines the next wave of talent spilling into The Lou from their minor league system. If his latest start is a sign of things to come, the Cardinals will have another contract extension to debate.