The St. Louis Cardinals made a significant move in the MLB Draft by selecting Liam Doyle, a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher from the University of Tennessee, with the fifth overall pick. Doyle, a first-team All-American and Perfect Game’s Pitcher of the Year, is already drawing comparisons to established MLB stars. Notably, he has been likened to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, due to his mid-90s fastball and similar pitching style.

In 2025, Skubal boasts an impressive 10-3 record, a 2.23 ERA, and a 0.83 WHIP, making him a favorite to win the Cy Young again. Doyle’s fastball can reach up to 100 mph, akin to Skubal's, while he is still refining his breaking pitches, mirroring Skubal’s successful repertoire. The Cardinals hope Doyle can develop into a cornerstone of their pitching staff, especially considering comparisons to former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and Cardinals Hall of Famer Al Hrabosky.