The St. Louis Cardinals made a significant move on Sunday by selecting left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle fifth overall in the 2025 MLB Draft. Doyle, a 21-year-old from the University of Tennessee, has garnered attention as a dominant power pitcher and earned recognition as a first-team All-American and Perfect Game’s Pitcher of the Year. His impressive performance has sparked comparisons to some of baseball’s top talents, including reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
Tarik Skubal’s Dominance Sets a High Bar
Tarik Skubal is currently among the elite pitchers in Major League Baseball. Besides starting the American League in the All-Star Game, he is also the defending AL Cy Young Award champion. Skubal boasts a 10-3 record, a 2.23 ERA, and a 0.83 WHIP in 2025, making him a favorite to claim the award again this season. His success has become a benchmark for evaluating up-and-coming pitchers like Doyle.
Comparisons to Skubal Highlight Doyle’s Potential
Before the draft, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly made a notable comparison between Doyle and Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal, which has given Cardinals fans plenty of optimism. Kelly remarked,
“When you watch Doyle pitch, both his delivery and outward swagger give you Tarik Skubal vibes.”
He noted further that Doyle’s fastball
“operates in the mid-90s and peaks at 100 mph,”
mirroring Skubal’s velocity.
Kelly also pointed out,
“Beyond just the optics, Doyle, per MLB Pipeline, his fastball ‘operates in the mid-90s and peaks at 100 mph,’ which is also true of Skubal. Doyle is still refining his slider, but that’s one of the pitches that has made Skubal successful as well.”
He added,
“It’s not a perfect comp, but if Doyle winds up anything like Skubal—who might repeat as the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2025—he might be the best pick in this class.”
Additional Comparisons Reflect Doyle’s Striking Skillset
Aside from Skubal, Doyle has also been likened to 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and Cardinals Hall of Famer Al Hrabosky. The comparison to Hrabosky came from Tennessee Baseball Head Coach Tony Vitello, a native of St. Louis, underscoring Doyle’s potential ties to Cardinals’ pitching legacy. Much of this praise revolves around Doyle’s high fastball usage combined with his strikeout efficiency, demonstrated by his 164 strikeouts in 2025 for Tennessee. This total was second only to Kade Anderson, who was selected third overall by the Seattle Mariners.
Looking Ahead: Doyle’s Role Within the Cardinals’ Future
Liam Doyle steps into the Cardinals organization amid high expectations, bolstered by comparisons to current and past Cy Young winners. His blend of velocity, pitching mechanics, and competitive presence has made him a promising prospect for the team. If his development follows the path suggested by experts, Doyle could soon become a key figure in the Cardinals’ pitching rotation and a contender for future accolades on the mound.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How much does Tarik Skubal make?
A. On January 9, Skubal and the Tigers settled on a one-year contract worth $10.15 million, sidestepping arbitration for the reigning American League Cy Young awardee.