Liam Doyle was the ace of the Tennessee Volunteers‘ pitching staff in 2025 after transferring from Ole Miss. If recent history is any indication of what’s to come for the 21-year-old left-hander, he could find himself in the big leagues next season.
Doyle, the No. 5 pick of the 2025 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, was promoted to Double-A on Tuesday morning. The move comes after Doyle made his first appearance for St. Louis’ High-A affiliate, Palm Beach, on Saturday. Doyle pitched just 1 2/3 innings and walked 2 batters in the contest, but allowed only one hit (a home run) and struck out 3 against the Daytona Tortugas (Cincinnati Reds’ High-A affiliate).
Doyle dominated opposing hitters in his final collegiate season. Through his first 18 starts, he had posted a 2.84 ERA and a 158:30 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 92 innings (15.5 K/9). He became the first Tennessee pitcher to win SEC Pitcher of the Week honors three times in a season and helped the Vols throw 2 combined no-hitters. Doyle’s incredible production earned him SEC Pitcher of the Year honors and made him a Golden Spikes Award finalist.
If Doyle makes his Springfield debut this week, he’ll face the San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres’ Double-A affiliate).
