Former Vol Pitcher Of The Year Earns Double-A Call-Up

Image: Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

After making his professional debut with the Cardinals’ Single-A affiliate, former VFL Liam Doyle has already earned a call-up to Double-A Springfield, per the Cardinals Player Development. 

The former Perfect Game Pitcher of the Year made his debut for the Palm Beach Cardinals this past Saturday, striking out three over 1.2 innings while allowing one run on a home run and surrendering two walks. 

Perhaps not the performance Vol fans were used to, but it was enough to secure Doyle a rapid promotion. 

Liam Doyle strikes out the first batter he faces as a pro!

The 2025 No. 5 overall pick paints the outside corner with a 97.7 mph sinker -- and gets it confirmed via ABS challenge.@Cardinals | @CardsPlayerDev | @GoPBCardinals pic.twitter.com/30k3PPvvD1

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 6, 2025

Painted 98 mph sinker for your first professional strikeout? 

Yeah, one start is all he needed. 

Doyle, the Cardinals’ No. 2 prospect, became the highest-drafted player in Tennessee history when he was selected fifth overall in July’s MLB Draft. 

During his lone season in Knoxville, after transferring in from Ole Miss, Doyle spearheaded UT’s rotation, setting a Tennessee program-record 164 strikeouts and being crowned SEC Pitcher of the year– overcoming No. 3 overall pick Kade Anderson. 

Doyle’s Double-A debut is expected later this week.

RHP Mason Burns & RHP Darlin Saladin have been transferred from Peoria (A+) to Springfield (AA).

LHP Liam Doyle has been transferred from Palm Beach (A) to Springfield.

C Carlos Linarez (AAA), RHP Sean Harney (AA), RHP Darlin Saladin (AA) & RHP Cade Winquest (AA) have been…

— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) September 9, 2025