Liam Doyle Solidifies Spot Among Projected Top‑Five Picks in 2025 MLB Draft
Tennessee southpaw Liam Doyle is emerging as one of the most electrifying arms in this year’s 2025 MLB Draft. Boasting one of the nation’s elite fastballs—clocked 94–99 mph with exceptional ride and backspin—Doyle is drawing comparisons to recent top-tier college arms.
In his debut season with Tennessee, after transfers from Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss, Doyle has flashed dominance on the mound: compiling a 2.39 ERA, a minuscule 0.84 WHIP, and an impressive 115 strikeouts over 67⅔ innings ([fishonfirst.com][2]). His nation-leading strikeout‑rate and career‑best performance earned SEC Pitcher of the Year honors and First‑Team All‑American recognition from Perfect Game, posting 164 punchouts across 95 innings and a 3.20 ERA.
Scouting profiles underscore Doyle’s fearsome fastball: one of the best in college baseball. It generates whiffs at an eye‑opening 70% rate and exhibits a flat trajectory that renders it nearly unhittable up in the zone ([prospectslive.com][1]). His repertoire also includes a whiff‑inducing splitter, a sharp slider, and a developing cutter—all offering potential as reliable secondary weapons.
That said, evaluators express caution over his command and durability. Doyle’s high‑effort delivery may limit his endurance, and his secondary pitches still need refinement to consistently complement his dominant heater.
Despite these concerns, his upside remains sky‑high.
Federal Baseball notes that while seasoned arms like Kade Anderson and Jamie Arnold are top‑10 candidates, Doyle holds the highest ceiling and could even be a contender for the first overall pick With scouts likening his trajectory to former top pick Paul Skenes, Doyle has firmly claimed elite‑ace potential and figures to go inside the top five when the July draft rolls around.
If a franchise is betting on upside and swing‑and‑miss ability, Doyle is the left‑hander they want leading their rotation of the future.
