*Tennessee Volunteer’s Tanner Franklin (50) pitches as Vanderbilt Commodores take on Tennessee Volunteer during the SEC baseball tournament*
The St. Louis Cardinals MLB Draft picks are drawing widespread acclaim from analysts, with several experts calling the team’s selections among the most impressive of the 2025 draft. The team’s top picks — Liam Doyle and Tanner Franklin — were highlighted as potential steals with high upside.
With the fifth overall pick, the Cardinals selected Liam Doyle, a dominant pitcher known for his strikeout ability. Keith Law ranked Doyle as the second-best player in the draft and praised his advanced plate discipline and refined approach. Peter Gammons commended Doyle’s delivery and four-pitch mix.
Later, with the 72nd overall pick, the Cardinals picked Tanner Franklin, a former University of Tennessee teammate of Doyle. Franklin gained national attention for his 102 mph fastball and cutting action, with MLB Network calling him a “potential steal of the draft.”
Another Day One selection included Ty Van Dyke, a standout pitcher from Stetson University’s bullpen.
Experts noted a strong Tennessee connection in the Cardinals’ picks, with one analyst calling St. Louis his favorite draft of the year — underscoring the organization’s strategic approach and scouting success.
