Liam Doyle Shines in Double-A Debut for St. Louis Cardinals
Liam Doyle, the St. Louis Cardinals' fifth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, made a strong impression in his Double-A debut for the Springfield Cardinals. After a brief appearance in Low-A, Doyle was quickly promoted and showcased his potential against the San Antonio Missions.
Quick Ascent Through the Minors
Doyle's professional career began with a single start for Low-A Palm Beach, where he pitched 1.2 innings. His performance and potential led the Cardinals to promote him to Double-A Springfield in early September, giving him valuable experience before the season's end.
Dominant Double-A Debut
On Saturday night, Liam Doyle took the mound for Springfield against the San Antonio Missions, the San Diego Padres' Double-A affiliate. In two innings of work, he struck out three batters and allowed two hits. He demonstrated efficiency, needing only ten pitches in the first inning.
Key Moments from Doyle's Start
Doyle faced a jam in the second inning, allowing two hits. However, he escaped unscathed thanks to a strikeout of Oswaldo Linares and a groundout by Kai Murphy, leaving runners stranded on second and third. In total, he threw 30 pitches, 20 of which were strikes. Two of his strikeouts were swinging.
Springfield Cardinals Secure the Win
The Springfield Cardinals secured a victory, aided by a second-inning home run from top-10 prospect Joshua Baez. Nolan Arenado, on a rehab assignment, started at third base and batted second for the Cardinals, getting hit by a pitch early in the game.
Playoff Bound
The Springfield Cardinals have already secured a bye in the Texas League playoffs, as winners of both halves of the season. Their postseason journey will begin on September 16th.
Looking Ahead for Liam Doyle
Liam Doyle is likely to have one more start for the Springfield Cardinals this season. His pitch count is expected to increase in his next outing. While a St. Louis Cardinals rotation spot in 2026 is unlikely, starting at Double-A is projected. His college performance and impressive fastball could lead to a rapid rise.
Doyle's Pitching Arsenal
Doyle boasts a live fastball that clocks in the mid-90s. In his final year at Tennessee, 105 of his 164 strikeouts came via the fastball. He also showcased a high strikeout rate of 15.65 K/9, the highest in Division I baseball. His splitter, reaching speeds up to 89 MPH, generated whiffs at a 36.4% rate last year.
Hope for the Cardinals
Liam Doyle's promising performance offers hope for a Cardinals organization seeking high-caliber pitching. His display with Double-A Springfield on Saturday night provides a reason for fans to be optimistic about the future.
