KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former Tennessee pitcher Tanner Franklin has officially signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after being selected with the No. 72 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The right-hander was taken in the second round. According to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Franklin signed for the full slot value of $1,145,900.

The Cardinals signed No. 5 pick Liam Doyle to a record $7.25M bonus, landing their highest draft selection since 1998.

GLENDALE – Arizona Cardinals 2024 1st-round pick Darius Robinson had a disappointing rookie season. After dealing with injuries during training camp, Robinson didn’t make his debut until Week 12 of last year.

A day after training their focus on landing swing-and-miss stuff for their starting pitching staff, the Cardinals added 10 more power arms, three shortstops, two outfielders, a third baseman and a catcher in Day 2 action of the MLB Draft.

Liam Doyle set a Tennessee baseball record with 164 strikeouts in the 2025 season. He was 10-4 with a 3.20 ERA and was named SEC pitcher of the year.

Tennessee’s strikeout king signed below-slot, giving the Cardinals flexibility to chase upside later in the draft.

Pitchers' velocity is on the rise as teams chase speed and whiffs, while the St. Louis Cardinals try to shake their contact approach, grab power arm in recent MLB draft.